Air Systems Modeling Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

DCS is looking for an Air Systems Modeling Engineer who will support the full lifecycle of threat system model development for manned and autonomous integrated air systems. This role involves applying NASIC’s Model Production and M&S R&D processes to design, implement, validate, and maintain high‑fidelity aircraft and subsystem models used in advanced multi‑vehicle simulation environments. The engineer will support characterization of threat system performance through technical intelligence analysis, subsystem modeling, and integration of physics‑based, algorithmic, and behavioral components.

This position requires strong experience in MATLAB/Simulink‑based model development, airborne system analysis, and modeling of sensors, C2/datalink systems, signal processing chains, aircraft dynamics, and electronic attack behaviors. The selected engineer will work directly with NASIC modeling SMEs and all‑source analysts to ensure model accuracy, performance validity, and mission‑driven fidelity requirements.

Essential Job Functions:

Model Development & Sustainment.
Develop, maintain, and enhance TMAP manned and unmanned integrated air system models in accordance with NASIC model production standards.
Build MATLAB/Simulink/Stateflow threat models and subsystem components from templates, legacy models, and technical characterization data.
Maintain and expand Simulink library block collections and tools used for TMAP model generation.
Ensure models support integration into M&S environments such as AFSIM, NGTS, ITASE, and JSE.

Intelligence‑Driven System Characterization.
Review current intelligence assessments and implementation details to identify subsystem performance gaps and modeling deficiencies.
Perform technical analysis of threat air systems in coordination with the Government Task Manager (GTM).
Characterize all relevant subsystems including: fire control chains, radar and EO/IR sensors, datalink systems, command and control architectures, pilot/agent behavioral logic, electronic attack techniques, and signal processing pipelines.
Identify and document all algorithms, processing techniques, hardware characteristics, and subsystem interactions relevant to model implementation.

Model Verification, Validation & Technical Reporting.
Verify model performance against assessed threat capabilities and document findings in Threat Verification & Validation Reports (TVVRs).
Conduct comparative analysis across multiple data sources to ensure consistency in subsystem modeling and performance assumptions.
Produce technical studies, workflow recommendations, and model architecture reports that document modeling rationale, assumptions, and subsystem fidelity requirements.

M&S Workflow Optimization & Tool Enhancement.
Review candidate models, tools, and production processes to identify required maintenance, improvements, and performance tuning.
Integrate sensor physics, communications models, aerodynamic profiles, mass properties, propulsion characteristics, and other performance drivers into model workflows.
Recommend improvements to modeling architectures when existing tools cannot meet simulation fidelity or performance requirements.

Applied M&S Research & Emerging Threat Development.
Utilize the NASIC M&S R&D process to model next‑generation manned and autonomous air systems, including cooperative combat and advanced special mission aircraft.
Support subsystem‑level R&D and enhance model reuse across emerging threat platforms.
Conduct technical intelligence research to characterize new and emerging threats, integrating findings into future TMAP model architectures.

Collaboration & SME Engagement.
Work closely with NASIC modeling SMEs and all‑source analysts to ensure technical alignment with modeling objectives and standard practices.
Participate in technical reviews, model walk‑throughs, and collaborative characterization sessions.

Required Skills:

Due to the sensitivity of customer related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Must have an active TS/SCI clearance.

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline (engineering, physics, computer science, or related field).

Minimum of 8 years of experience in modeling and simulation, aerospace systems analysis, threat modeling, or related technical domain.

Expertise in MATLAB/Simulink/Stateflow model development, subsystem modeling, and model integration workflows.

Experience developing or supporting aircraft, sensor, or EW‑related models in physics‑based or algorithmic environments.

Familiarity with multi‑vehicle simulation frameworks (AFSIM, NGTS, ITASE, JSE, etc.).

Strong understanding of aircraft subsystems including sensors, communications, flight dynamics, propulsion, and weapon system integration.

Ability to interpret technical intelligence, performance data, and system specifications for model implementation.

Strong technical writing skills for producing V&V reports, studies, and subsystem modeling documentation.

Desired Skills:

Experience using NASIC in‑house modeling tools such as Simian Lite, Cyclops Lite, Hercules, Artemis Lite, Chiron, Cerberus, or Diana.

Prior work supporting NASIC, Air Force M&S organizations, or DoD intelligence modeling missions.

Familiarity with EWIRDB, ITASE threat models, and airborne system characterization workflows.

Experience modeling, advanced signal processing, sensor fusion, electronic attack, and C2/datalink architectures.

Background in AFSIM model integration or large‑scale simulation test architectures.