Overview:

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry. GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.   

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do: 

1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
5. We champion innovation.
6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Project/Unit Description

The Intelligence Analysis Branch (IAB)/Signals and Systems Division (SASD) of the Advanced Concepts Laboratory (ACL) is currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Modeling and Simulation Engineer.

The Intelligence Analysis Branch conducts all-domain intelligence analysis of complex threats, operational environments, and information warfare research for the U.S. national security community to support research and development (R&D), acquisition, experimentation, and policy decisions. The Signals and Systems Division engages in research related to high-impact, technical analysis for U.S. Government projects. The division's mission is to shape the development of next-generation technical capabilities and strengthen our national defense through leading-edge research and analytic support, informed by a deep knowledge of operational capabilities, current intelligence, and the related information environment. The Advanced Concepts Laboratory develops tailored solutions for a broad range of national security challenges through disciplined application of physics- and effects-based modeling to realizable systems, augmented with prototype development and testing. ACL’s research thrusts extend across domains, and include bio-, chemical-, RF-, and optical-sensor physics; materials science and engineering; electromagnetic theory, computation, structures, and measurements; electronic warfare techniques and applications; operational scenario modeling and simulation; traditional and asymmetric threat analysis; and ground maneuver warfare.

Job Purpose

The Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Engineer works closely with research, development, and testing teams to combine simulation modeling with data analytics in order to provide recommendations to optimize system designs in support of current and future research, development, and testing efforts. Specifically, the M&S Engineer is responsible for constructing computer simulation models, verifying and validating simulation models, performing simulation experiments to predict system behaviors, providing solutions to project stakeholders, and improving systems and processes. The M&S Engineer is familiar with important M&S concepts and techniques, constantly keeps abreast of new tool and language developments, and is familiar with a wide range of both open source and proprietary modeling and simulation tools, frameworks, and environments, such as AFSIM, AnyLogic, Arena, ExtendSim, OpenFoam, OpenModelica, NetLogo, etc. In addition to tools, an M&S Engineer should be aware of many of the core M&S techniques – such as discrete event simulation, continuous simulation, agent-based modeling, distributed simulation, and conceptual modeling. At higher levels, the M&S Engineer/Specialist guides and conducts modeling, simulation, and analysis activities which includes eliciting requirements from stakeholders to support the design and implementation of M&S frameworks, computer simulation models, and simulation experiments. Furthermore, the M&S Engineer is responsible for ensuring that models and simulations are designed according to M&S best practices and standards as well as for flexibility to support future modeling needs and enhancements.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct sponsor engagement and facilitate product or system requirements gathering and analysis
• Develop critical M&S inputs, including framework definition, requirements analysis, synthesis, systems analysis and implementation
• Conduct product or system design analysis translating requirements into valid models and experimental designs for systems of moderate complexity
• Develop technical reports and diagrams detailing product or system attributes.
• Analyze product or system functionality as defined by requirements.
• Implement approaches that foster reusability of existing M&S expressions

Additional Responsibilities

• Develop physics-based models of sensors (such as radar, EO/IR, RF collection/Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) sensors), electromagnetic warfare (EW) countermeasures, communications networks, systems, platform, threats, atmospheric phenomena, terrains, and scenes
• Run simulations and algorithm optimizations
• Curate data and write automation scripts
• Write and perform software tests supporting software verification and document outcomes
• Collaborate with project team members, project directors, and sponsors on technical requirements, schedules, and program risk analysis
• Document and present results in appropriate forums (reviews, technical reports, publications, etc.).

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, physics, mathematics, or closely-related technical field
• Experience with any or all of the following languages: C#, C++, Python, MATLAB
• Experience modeling military weapon systems and threat environments
• Experience applying statistical analysis techniques to interpret simulation results
• Proficient scientific writing skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret Security Clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI Clearance
• Master’s or Doctoral degree in computer science, engineering, physics, mathematics, or closely-related technical field
  • Candidates currently enrolled in an accredited degree program relevant to this position will be considered. The candidate must have a graduation date of no later than August, 2026
• 2 or more years of experience modeling advanced military weapon systems and threat environments
• Experience using modeling tools (such as AFSIM, TMAP) or related development languages
• Experience developing physics-based models of sensors, EW countermeasures, or communications networks
• Experience with modeling, simulation, and analysis of platforms and systems in the Space domain
• Experience applying modeling and analysis techniques to analyze human behavior and/or human decision making

Travel Requirements

10% - 25% travel

Education and Length of Experience

This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement. The final job offer will be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook

• 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer science, engineering, physics, mathematics, or closely-related technical field.
• 3 years of related experience with a Masters’ degree in Computer science, engineering, physics, mathematics, or closely-related technical field.
• 0 years of related experience with a Ph.D. in Computer science, engineering, physics, mathematics, or closely-related technical field.

Please refer to our Research Faculty Technical Level Guidelines for minimum requirements at the higher levels.

U.S. Citizenship Requirements

Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be U.S. Citizens.

Clearance Type Required

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.

Benefits at GTRI

Comprehensive information on currently offered GTRI benefits, including Health & Welfare, Retirement Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Time Off, and Professional Development, can be found through this link: https://benefits.hr.gatech.edu/.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (“USG”) and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual’s race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.