Systems Engineer

Job Title: Systems Engineer

Job Description

This Systems Engineer role focuses on data engineering, validation, and high-fidelity modeling and simulation in support of advanced missile defense systems. You will work with large-scale, multi-dimensional array datasets, validate simulated data against measured test or flight data, and apply strong analytical rigor to ensure accuracy and reliability. The position requires meticulous verification and validation of complex technical datasets, systematic troubleshooting of simulation failures, and close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team in a fully onsite environment.

Responsibilities

• Handle large-scale, multi-dimensional array datasets and ensure data integrity throughout the engineering and validation process.
• Validate simulated data against measured test or flight data to confirm physical and mathematical accuracy.
• Perform meticulous verification and validation of large, technical datasets to identify discrepancies and ensure high-quality outputs.
• Conduct systematic root-cause analysis to logically isolate variables and trace errors, determining whether failures arise from bad input data, software defects, or system configuration issues.
• Read, parse, and debug legacy and custom in-house tools or scripts, including those written in Python and MATLAB, even when documentation is limited or unavailable.
• Analyze complex log files, console outputs, and stack traces to quickly identify the reasons for simulation run failures or data conversion tool crashes.
• Detect and correct "silent failures" where tools run to completion but produce physically or mathematically incorrect data.
• Apply foundational knowledge of aerothermodynamics, radiative transfer, fluid dynamics, molecular spectroscopy, flight dynamics, and aerodynamics to support accurate modeling and simulation.
• Contribute to modeling, simulation, and automation activities, including atmospheric modeling and radiative signature modeling.
• Support data production and analysis activities associated with threat modeling products and high-fidelity simulations.
• Assist with maintenance and sustainment activities for the modeling and simulation software baseline.
• Prioritize and execute tasks effectively while working within established schedules and timelines.
• Communicate clearly and professionally in both verbal and written formats with team members and stakeholders.
• Collaborate in a team-oriented environment to deliver high-fidelity threat modeling products and simulation capabilities.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or other scripting languages for data engineering, analysis, and automation.
• Experience handling large-scale, multi-dimensional array datasets in technical or scientific environments.
• Strong analytical rigor with a natural tendency toward thoroughness and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to perform meticulous verification and validation of complex technical datasets.
• Proficiency in systematic root-cause analysis to isolate variables and trace errors in simulations and tools.
• Ability to read, parse, and debug legacy and custom code, including undocumented in-house tools and scripts.
• Skill in parsing complex log files, console outputs, and stack traces to identify and resolve errors.
• Capability to detect and correct silent data or simulation failures that produce incorrect physical or mathematical results.
• Foundational understanding of aerothermodynamics, radiative transfer, fluid dynamics, and molecular spectroscopy.
• Foundational understanding of data analysis concepts and methodologies.
• Basic conceptual understanding of flight dynamics and aerodynamics.
• Experience with atmospheric modeling codes such as MODTRAN.
• Experience with JANNAF radiative signature codes.
• Experience working in Linux-based distributed computational environments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to create and work within schedules and timelines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Optical Sciences, or a related STEM field.
• Strong experience in mathematics, physics, or engineering.
• Experience in modeling, simulation, and automation, particularly in technical or defense-related domains.
• Interest in supporting long-term, high-impact efforts in threat modeling and advanced simulations.

Work Environment

This position is fully onsite at a secure facility and supports Threat Systems Engineering activities focused on the development and delivery of high-fidelity threat modeling products for advanced missile defense systems. The team develops and maintains modeling and simulation capabilities that include kinematic missile modeling, infrared signature modeling, data production and analysis, and sustainment of a comprehensive software baseline. You will work in Linux-based distributed computational environments using scripting languages such as Python and MATLAB, along with specialized atmospheric and radiative signature modeling tools. The work is part of a long-term effort within a high-performance, collaborative engineering culture, where precision, reliability, and rigorous validation are central to daily operations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Colorado Springs, CO.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $55.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Colorado Springs,CO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.