PeopleTec is currently seeking a VPG Systems Engineer to support our Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD location.

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Systems Engineer to assist in the development of a Virtual Proving Ground (VPG), focused on operational assessments of robotic and autonomous system (RAS) formations in a live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) simulation environment. This will be an on-site role at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland in direct support of Program Management Executive Mission Autonomy and Program Manager Robotic Control and Integration. The position will involve extensive consultation with partner organizations to develop the VPG tool suite and to remain current on state-of-industry technologies.  Candidates must be familiar with program requirements, mission thread and CONOP generation, and simulation engine tool suites. The selected individual will work closely with program leadership, industry partners, and joint stakeholders to align stakeholder needs with novel industry solutions to develop and maintain an advanced LVC environment.

Duties:

1. LVC Simulation & Architecture Development

• Define and implement verification and validation (V&V) frameworks within the Virtual Proving Ground (VPG) Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) ecosystem.
• Ensure technical alignment and traceability between VPG test capabilities and the Mission Autonomy Common Control Architecture (MACCA).
• Oversee the integration of digital twins, simulation plugins, and synthetic environments across unclassified and secured network enclaves (IL2/IL5).

2. Technological and Operational Assessments

• Serve as a primary technical evaluator for emergent commercial and non-traditional autonomy solutions; assess maturity and feasibility for entry into the VPG pipeline.
• Support rapid integration initiatives, hackathons, and technology demonstrations to benchmark cutting-edge autonomous solutions against DoW mission requirements.
• Design methodologies to capture quantitative performance data alongside qualitative Soldier feedback during simulated and live-virtual exercises.
• Identify promising high-TRL capabilities suitable for accelerated/fast-track transition into operational validation pipelines.

3. Mission Engineering & Thread Validation

• Partner with Mission Engineering teams, ATEC, and operational units to translate Warfighter CONOPs into executable, high-fidelity mission threads.
• Establish robust test metrics and evaluation criteria to validate multi-domain orchestrators, autonomy stacks, and robotic formations under realistic operational conditions.

4. Stakeholder & Cross-Command Integration

• Represent PMO technical equities across partner commands, including ARL, ATEC, and joint stakeholder working groups.
• Maintain technical roadmaps and synchronization schedules covering simulation milestones, integration events, and vendor evaluation cadences.

Required Skills/Experience:

• Minimum of 5–8 years of progressive engineering experience, ideally supporting military Systems Engineering, Integration, and Testing (SEIT) programs.
• Experience with Unreal, NVIDIA Omniverse, and Unity simulation engines.
• Familiarity with AFSIM, OneSAF, CyberVAN, EMANE, and other defense-oriented simulation programs.
• Previous experience conducting on-site integration events with Soldiers and industry partners.
• Demonstrated ability with experimental design, test engineering, and data analysis.
• Familiarity with application programming interfaces (APIs) within a simulation environment.
• Demonstrated experience with software architecture and model-based systems engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in a fast paced and fluid work environment under changing priorities with little guidance.
• Experience briefing or communicating with senior government stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail.
• Position is full-time on-site at APG.
• Must have a current driver's license.
• Travel: 15%
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must have an active DoD Secret clearance upon hire, and the ability to maintain this level of clearance during employment. TS/SCI preferred.   

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Test Engineering certificates or experience preferred.

Desired Skills:

• Modeling and Simulation development experience in Unreal or NVIDIA Omniverse.
• Prior experience (government or industry) supporting U.S. Army acquisition programs or prototyping efforts.
• Strong skills in stakeholder coordination, team leadership, and executive-level communication.
• Experience with enterprise scheduling tools, MBSE generation tools, and high-level systems-of-systems architecture.
• Familiarity with network simulation and network effects simulation tools.
• Experience conducting Soldier Touch Points and Soldier-integrated test events.

Benefits offered can be found here: Benefits PeopleTec. In compliance with Maryland's Equal Pay for Equal Work - Wage Range Transparency Act, the salary range for this role is $110,000.00 to $135,000.00; however, PeopleTec considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and critical skills.

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