Provides advanced modeling and simulation, systems analysis, and test and evaluation support for weapon systems. Develops and validates high-fidelity simulations, analyzes flight-test and engineering data, conducts statistical experiments, supports VV&A activities, and assesses system performance, survivability, lethality, and weapon effects. Prepares technical reports and recommendations while collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering and program teams throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
Saalex is seeking a Modeling and Simulation Engineer in Ridgecrest, CA. The selected candidate will provide advanced Modeling and Simulation (M&S) and systems analysis support for weapon systems throughout the acquisition lifecycle, provide engineering support utilizing modeling and simulation tools to analyze, and provide recommendations based on data collected and knowledge of mechanical components.
Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: $110k-$165k annually (depending upon experience)
Work Location: Onsite
Essential Functions:
- Provide advanced Modeling & Simulation (M&S) support for weapon systems throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
- Develop, validate, execute, and analyze high-fidelity simulations to evaluate system performance, sensor capabilities, tactical employment, and mission effectiveness.
- Conduct pre-flight and post-flight test analysis, including flight test data reduction and performance assessment.
- Perform digital image processing and data analysis to support testing and evaluation activities.
- Design and execute simulation experiments using statistical and analytical methods.
- Support system Verification, Validation, and Accreditation (VV&A) efforts through simulation and analysis activities.
- Assess terminal effectiveness, vulnerability, survivability, lethality, blast effects, and weapon effects performance.
- Analyze engineering and operational data to identify trends, performance characteristics, and areas for improvement.
- Develop technical reports, briefings, recommendations, and analysis packages for engineering, test, and program stakeholders.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to support system development, testing, and evaluation activities.
- Provide technical expertise and recommendations to support acquisition, development, and operational decision-making.
- Other duties as assigned or required.
Requirements
Required:
- Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience supporting Modeling & Simulation, systems analysis, test and evaluation, weapon systems engineering, or related defense acquisition programs.
- Experience developing, validating, executing, or analyzing high-fidelity simulations used to assess system performance, sensor performance, tactical employment, or mission effectiveness.
- Experience conducting flight test planning, pre- and post-test analysis, flight test data reduction, or related test support activities.
- Experience applying statistical, analytical, and experimental design techniques to support simulation studies and system performance assessments.
- Experience supporting Verification, Validation, and Accreditation (VV&A) activities.
- Experience preparing technical reports, presentations, analysis packages, and recommendations for technical and programmatic stakeholders.
Desired:
- Experience assessing terminal effectiveness, lethality, vulnerability, survivability, blast effects, or weapon effects.
- Experience with advanced modeling, simulation, and data analysis tools used within Department of Defense environments.
- Experience supporting complex weapon systems, sensor systems, or flight test programs.
- Additional training or coursework in modeling and simulation, systems engineering, statistics, weapon systems analysis, flight test analysis, or verification, validation, and accreditation (VV&A) is desirable.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Operations Research, Data Science, or a related technical discipline is required. Master’s degree in a related technical field is preferred.
Security Clearance:
- Active Top Secret clearance required. Requirements to obtain a clearance include US Citizenship, security investigation, etc.
Benefits
- Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
- Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
- Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
- Short Term & Long Term Disability
- Training & Development
- Wellness Resources
- Stock Option Benefit
Similar Jobs
Energy
Lead advanced multi-physics simulation (FEA/CFD) for next-gen hardware, run coupled thermal-structural-fluid-chemical analyses, validate models against test data, drive design reviews, manage modeling deliverables, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate cross-functionally to deliver prototype-ready designs.
Top Skills:
AnsysChemical Reaction Kinetics ModelingComputational Fluid Dynamics (Cfd)Comsol MultiphysicsFinite Element Analysis (Fea)Fluid-Structure Interaction (Fsi)Mesh ConvergenceThermal-Structural AnalysisVerification And Validation (V&V)
Artificial Intelligence • Robotics
Design and develop performant mathematical models of robots, manipulators, and environments; integrate simulation into CI/CD; balance fidelity and compute; collaborate with simulation, motion planning, controls, field ops and intelligence teams.
Aerospace • Hardware • Defense
Lead development of high-fidelity 6-DOF flight and physics simulations for missile flight, guidance, navigation, and control validation. Build real-time physics integrations, Monte Carlo and hardware-in-the-loop testing, closed-loop infrastructure, sensor models, scenario tools, visualization, and performance-analysis systems. Ensure simulation fidelity, determinism, and performance across varied operating conditions while collaborating with flight software, autonomy, and hardware teams.
Top Skills:
BevyC++GazeboJsbsimOpenglPythonRapierRustThree.JsWebgl
What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene
Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.
Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
- Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering
