Modeling & Simulation Systems Engineer (Kinematic) 

2-5+ Years | Level 2 $100,000 - $112,000 | Level 3 $112,000 - $135,000 | Colorado Springs, CO (Schriever SFB - Onsite) | Secret Clearance Required 

Support the Threat Modeling Center (TMC) by developing high-fidelity missile threat models and simulated missile trajectories that enable the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Department of Defense to evaluate the effectiveness of the nation's missile defense systems. Join a collaborative engineering team responsible for producing Integrated Threat Products (ITPs) that replicate real-world adversary capabilities and support mission planning, engineering analysis, testing, training, and operational readiness.

A Day in the Life - What you'll do

• Develop high-fidelity missile trajectory models and kinematic data supporting advanced missile defense modeling and simulation environments.

• Analyze customer scenario requests to identify technical requirements, potential modeling challenges, and simulation constraints prior to production.

• Generate end-to-end threat attack laydowns using the Threat Modeling & Simulation Suite (TMSS), accurately representing adversary missile launches, trajectories, and weapon employment.

• Apply knowledge of adversary missile capabilities, tactics, techniques, procedures (TTPs), and strategic objectives to create realistic threat scenarios supporting engineering and training objectives.

• Assign appropriate missile systems and warhead configurations to simulated attack scenarios to accurately model real-world threat behavior.

• Validate modeling outputs through detailed quality reviews, troubleshooting, and technical analysis to ensure customer requirements are fully satisfied.

• Collaborate daily with systems engineers, software developers, and modeling & simulation specialists to improve internally developed simulation tools and capabilities.

• Analyze simulation results and technical data to identify discrepancies, improve model fidelity, and support continuous enhancement of threat products.

• Prepare technical documentation and communicate modeling assumptions, engineering findings, and simulation results to internal teams and government customers.

• Support multiple concurrent projects with varying schedules, balancing rapid-turnaround customer requests alongside long-term engineering efforts.

• Participate in technical reviews, engineering discussions, and collaborative planning supporting Missile Defense Agency testing and operational exercises.

• Support occasional travel (up to 10%) for customer engagement, program collaboration, and mission support activities.

Required Qualifications

Systems Engineer II

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university and 2 years of related experience; OR

• Master's degree in a STEM discipline with 0-2 years of related experience.

• Working knowledge of Linux and Windows operating systems.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical troubleshooting skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong organizational, time management, and schedule management abilities.

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Ability to travel up to 10% in support of program requirements.

• Active in-scope DoD Secret security clearance required at time of application.

Principal Systems Engineer (Level III)

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 5 years of related experience; OR

• Master's degree and 3 years of related experience; OR

• PhD in a STEM discipline and 1 year of related experience.

• Experience supporting Linux and Windows-based engineering environments.

• Experience performing technical quality control, system verification, troubleshooting, and engineering analysis.

• Demonstrated ability to lead technical efforts, prioritize competing requirements, and coordinate engineering activities across teams.

• Strong project leadership, schedule management, and delegation skills.

• Ability to travel up to 10% in support of program requirements.

• Active in-scope DoD Secret security clearance required at time of application.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Modeling & Simulation (M&S) programs within the Department of Defense.

• Knowledge of ballistic missile systems and six degrees of freedom (6 DoF) trajectory modeling.

• Familiarity with Missile Defense System (MDS) architecture and interoperability of missile defense components.

• Knowledge of missile targeting, threat allocation, adversary ("Red Force") planning, and integrated threat laydowns.

• Experience modeling infrared (IR) signatures and radar cross-section (RCS) characteristics.

• Experience supporting systems engineering, software development, integration, or software testing activities.

• Experience working within Agile software development environments.

• Experience supporting Missile Defense Agency (MDA) ground testing, operational testing, or flight test exercises.

• Active DoD Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility (TS/SCI).

Who is Caribou Thunder?

Caribou Thunder is a HUBZone-certified small business providing advanced technical and engineering services to the U.S. Department of War and its mission partners.

35+ states and 20+ countries.

We've delivered trusted solutions for over two decades-strengthening national readiness across missions on land, undersea, in the air, and throughout LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep space.

Why Caribou Thunder?

TEAM THUNDER - Mission Focused. Delivery Proven. Ready to Serve.

• Employee Advocacy

• Mission Proven

• Global Reach

• Skilled Teams

• Modern Tools

• Empowering Culture

Our engineers and innovators ensure capability from sea floor to space frontier-delivering on time, maintaining compliance, and performing with precision in high-consequence environments.

We specialize in Engineering Services, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Modeling & Simulation, Digital Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence-disciplines powering the nation's most complex technical missions.

Employee Advocacy + Benefits

Our people are the heart of Caribou Thunder. We invest in their growth, flexibility, and well-being-knowing their success drives ours.

Benefits include:

• Premium Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

• 401(k) with 6% Company Match

• Flexible PTO & Work Schedule

• Education & Certification Reimbursement

• Support for Military Leave

• Work-Life Balance & Traditional Family Values

Your future, your flexibility, your well-being-we invest in you.

Apply and let's connect.