Description
Who We Are
Aptima is a technological leader in the national security industry. Our mission is to drive the future of national security by engineering scalable solutions that fuse technological innovation with human potential to transform how individuals and teams train, develop, and perform in mission-critical environments.
Our culture is rooted in our core values, which have evolved over time and our employees have embraced: Integrity, Ingenuity, Excellence, Respect, Engagement, Teamwork. At our core, Aptima researches, develops, and innovates within an area that engineering firms largely ignore, the human component. To impact the world in meaningful ways, you must bring those innovations to light, and that is precisely what we do.
How You Will Make An Impact
As a Senior Systems Engineer supporting simulation-based training systems, you will help advance Aptima’s mission by designing, developing, integrating, and sustaining technical solutions within a government-owned modeling and simulation (M&S) environment. You will lead efforts to architect, configure, and validate systems that enable realistic, high-fidelity simulation for training and mission rehearsal.
In this senior role, you will guide prototyping, integration, and troubleshooting activities across a diverse set of modeling and simulation tools, frameworks, and simulators. Whether integrating complex training devices into a distributed simulation environment, evaluating system and network performance, or ensuring readiness for large-scale events, your technical leadership will directly enhance operator training effectiveness and mission preparedness.
This role is ideal for experienced engineers who excel in hands-on technical work, cross-functional collaboration, and shaping innovative simulation capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead installation, configuration, and maintenance of simulation system stacks aligned with current technical baselines.
- Architect and execute integration of simulators and M&S tools using common networking standards and protocols such as GRID, DIS, or related interfaces.
- Integrate and validate simulation frameworks and tools (e.g., AFSIM, NGTS, or similar systems) within the broader M&S environment.
- Ensure simulator and system readiness through configuration management, documentation, and continuous improvement of integration and sustainment processes.
- Collaborate with mission partners to plan demonstrations, dry runs, and evaluations; support event planning, execution, and debrief.
- Coordinate with mission partners to plan and execute demonstrations, dry runs, training events, and technical evaluations.
- Perform advanced troubleshooting across Windows and Linux systems, networks, and simulation tools.
- Provide technical leadership during hardware installations, system upgrades, facility modifications, and capability enhancements.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical standards, best practices, and integration patterns across the M&S ecosystem.
Requirements
- 100% on-site at the Dayton, OH customer location.
- 5+ years of experience in modeling & simulation, systems engineering, networking, or related technical domains.
- Experience integrating M&S systems using protocols such as GRID, DIS, or HLA/RPR-FOM.
- Strong proficiency with Windows and Linux system administration and troubleshooting.
- Hands-on experience with simulation frameworks (e.g., AFSIM, NGTS) or comparable modeling tools.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze distributed system behavior, network performance, and system interactions.
- Excellent documentation, configuration management, and communication skills.
- Proven ability to work independently, lead technical efforts, and collaborate within cross-functional teams.
- Eligibility for a U.S. Security Clearance is required.
- Desired Certifications: Must meet DoD 8140 IAT Level II compliance (e.g., Security+).
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state or local law.
Skills Required
- 7+ years of experience integrating and operating modeling and simulation systems and simulators in LVC/DMO environments
- 2+ years of hands-on technical experience operating within the Joint Simulation Environment or JSE-in-a-Box
- Proficiency integrating simulators and tools using GRID, DIS, HLA/RPR-FOM, or comparable networking standards and protocols
- Experience planning and executing integration events across multiple security levels
- Experience using and developing scenarios in AFSIM, NGTS, or comparable simulation frameworks
- Experience analyzing system or system-of-systems performance, network latency, packet-level inspection, distributed system operation, or data flows
- Ability to independently identify and troubleshoot software and hardware issues
- Working knowledge of workstation hardware, cabling, and basic networking
- Strong documentation skills, including system notes, change logs, and configuration updates
- Ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams
- Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to develop innovative solutions
- Initiative and ownership in driving tasks and builds to completion
- Active or recent U.S. Secret Collateral security clearance
- Eligibility for a TS/SCI U.S. security clearance
- DoD 8140 IAT Level II compliance, such as Security+ certification
What We Do
Aptima, Inc. is a human-centered engineering and advanced-technology company focused on national security. Founded in 1995, it combines social-science principles with engineering, data science, psychology, and cognitive science to develop artificial intelligence, machine-learning, analytics, modeling, simulation, and human-machine-teaming solutions. Its work enhances readiness, decision-making, learning, productivity, and operational performance for defense, intelligence, aviation, law-enforcement, and healthcare organizations in mission-critical environments.
