# Staff Engineer, Operations Analyst

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Washington, DC
**Role:** Data Science
**Salary:** $157k – $235k/yr
**Experience:** 7+ years
**Skills:** Operational Analysis, Modeling And Simulation, Wargaming, Afsim, Stk, MATLAB, Python, Military Mission Analysis, Cloud Computing, Hpc, Docker, Git, CI/CD, Automated Testing, Data Science
**Posted:** 2026-09-08

> Leads operational analysis, modeling, simulation, and wargaming for autonomous aircraft systems, translating military mission insights into design and product decisions. Requires 7+ years of experience, defense operational expertise, and proficiency with aerospace simulation tools and modern software workflows.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Develop and execute operational analysis strategies for autonomous aircraft in military scenarios.
- Lead modeling, simulation, and wargaming efforts to evaluate system performance, mission impact, and survivability in contested environments.
- Translate operational insights into engineering and product design decisions.
- Conduct trade studies and sensitivity analyses under varying operational conditions and threats.
- Build high-fidelity mission models using AFSIM, STK, MATLAB, Python, and other modeling and simulation tools.
- Analyze force-on-force engagements, sensor effectiveness, and autonomy-driven decision-making.
- Collaborate with DoD stakeholders, operators, and warfighters to define mission needs and operational requirements.
- Support CONOPS development for AI-driven aircraft capabilities.
- Identify emerging threats and operational challenges.
- Prepare technical reports, briefings, and recommendations for leadership, customers, and government agencies.
- Apply cloud/HPC workflows, containerization, version control, CI/CD, automated testing, and reproducible analysis practices to simulation and analytics pipelines.

## Requirements
- 7+ years of experience in operational analysis, modeling and simulation, or military operations research.
- Expertise in military mission analysis, operational planning, and wargaming methodologies.
- Proficiency with AFSIM, STK, MATLAB, or comparable aerospace and defense modeling and simulation tools.
- Deep understanding of air combat, ISR, electronic warfare, or autonomous systems in contested environments.
- Experience working with DoD stakeholders, warfighters, and government agencies.
- Experience applying modern compute, data science, and software development practices to reliable simulations and analytics.
- Strong communication and briefing skills, including presentations to senior leadership, customers, and military personnel.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced agile environment with shifting priorities.

## Nice-to-Haves
- Force-on-force analysis, CONOPS development, or military campaign modeling experience.
- Familiarity with DoD acquisition processes, JCIDS, and military operational testing.
- Experience integrating AI-driven decision-making algorithms into operational analysis frameworks.
- Prior military service or experience with the U.S. Air Force, Navy, or Special Operations Forces.
- Experience using generative AI to structure problems and create simulation or analysis tools.
- Active Secret or Top Secret clearance, or ability to obtain one.


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