Principal Data & AI Solutions Engineer - Joint Simulation Enviro

We are seeking a highly innovative and adaptable Principal Data & AI Solutions Engineer to join our team at Edwards Air Force Base, CA or Nellis AFB, NV, directly supporting the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE).

This dynamic and evolving role offers a foundational opportunity to make a significant impact, shaping the data strategy and leveraging cutting-edge technology for a critical national defense asset. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in data engineering, advanced data visualization, and the strategic application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to empower JSE leadership and military customers with superior data-driven decision-making capabilities for system performance assessment, anomaly resolution, and warfighting capability evaluation. This individual will be a proactive champion for the introduction of cutting-edge data tools, automation strategies, and AI capabilities to significantly enhance the JSE's ability to support warfighter needs and accelerate critical test and acquisition outcomes. This role requires a self-starter capable of defining value, embracing diverse challenges, and leading data exploitation in a high-stakes defense environment. This role also requires a skilled practitioner who will be able to develop and implement solutions while a larger team is constituted. This role will navigate the complexities of vast and diverse test data generated across a distributed JSE environment, potentially spanning multiple classified networks and locations (Edwards, Nellis, Pax River, Alaska). The individual will contribute to understanding the current data landscape and architecting scalable solutions to manage ever-increasing volumes of complex data from future, more variable test events.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• AI/ML Application & Innovation: Identify, prototype, and implement cutting-edge AI/Machine Learning (ML) solutions to significantly enhance JSE test data analysis and operational effectiveness. This includes developing automated identification of critical events, rapid anomaly detection (especially in high-speed data streams and real-time feeds), predictive modeling for system performance envelopes, and intelligent data querying for complex test scenarios. Leverage AI/ML to identify and track key Measures of Effectiveness (MOE) and Measures of Performance (MOP), providing automated insights into system behavior and unlocking deeper understanding of simulated system performance. Investigate and implement AI-driven solutions to automate and optimize aspects of the test planning and execution lifecycle, such as intelligent test point selection, scenario generation, and resource allocation.

• Advanced Dashboarding & Visualization: Lead the design, development, and implementation of intuitive, high-impact data dashboards and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, custom web applications). These solutions will translate complex JSE test data into actionable insights for JSE leadership, test aircrews, and military customers, enabling rapid, high-confidence decision-making on tactical mission performance, system-under-test behavior, threat effectiveness, and aircrew-system interaction. Automate data pipelines and reporting processes to ensure timely and accurate delivery of critical performance metrics and trends, excelling at understanding evolving data needs and creating compelling visualizations that reveal insights.

• Experimentation & Rapid Prototyping: Execute rapid prototyping efforts and proof-of-concept demonstrations for new data visualization, automation, and AI/ML capabilities. Drive iterative development cycles to quickly demonstrate value and gain stakeholder feedback for continuous improvement.

• Technical Advocacy & Tool Adoption: Act as the primary advocate for adopting new data tools, visualization platforms, and AI/ML technologies within the JSE. Research emerging industry trends and present compelling cases for their introduction, outlining potential benefits for data efficiency, insights generation, and overall JSE mission effectiveness.

• Customer & Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate directly with JSE leadership, Test Pilot School graduates, and senior military customers to understand their specific data needs.

• Data Quality & Governance: Support the establishment and refinement of best practices for data quality, integrity, and security across all JSE data assets. Implement robust processes for data validation, error checking, and classification to ensure the reliability of insights derived from the data. The ability to identify opportunities for process improvement and contribute to evolving data governance frameworks will be highly valued as the role grows.

• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, build, and grow technical teams and efforts within the JSE, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment. This includes recruiting, developing via knowledge transfer, and mentoring technical talent, and establishing clear technical objectives and performance metrics for team success.

Qualifications & Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience in data engineering, data science, business intelligence, or a closely related field, with a strong focus on large-scale data sets.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing, developing, and deploying interactive dashboards and data visualizations using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, QlikView, or similar.
• Proven experience with data modeling, ETL/ELT processes, and database management (SQL, NoSQL, data lakes).
• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python or R, with experience in data manipulation libraries (e.g., Pandas) and statistical analysis.
• Practical experience in applying AI/ML techniques (e.g., supervised/unsupervised learning, natural language processing) for data analysis, pattern recognition, or predictive analytics.
• Experience with processing and analyzing time-series data, spectral data, and spatial data common in aerospace test environments.
• Ability to work in an ambiguous and evolving environment, define solutions, and articulate value propositions to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to present complex data insights clearly and concisely to senior leadership.
• Proven aptitude for 'data storytelling' to translate analytical findings into strategic narratives.
• Experience in the defense or military aviation sector, with an understanding of military test and evaluation processes.
• Experience with data integration challenges across disparate and classified networks/systems.
• Experience in designing and implementing data solutions for real-time monitoring and operational decision support in high-stakes environments.
• Exceptional leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Ability to influence and persuade stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of defense acquisition processes.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with time-series analysis, anomaly detection, deep learning for sensor data, and reinforcement learning for optimizing simulation parameters.
• Familiarity with distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Spark, Hadoop).
• Experience with metadata management tools and data governance frameworks.
• Knowledge of simulation data formats and standards relevant to military aircraft testing.
• Exposure to control room operations or test execution environments.
• Understanding of aeronautical sciences, aircraft mission systems (e.g., radar, IR, EW), or flight test data.
• Experience with various data infrastructure deployments, including on-premise, cloud-based (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), and hybrid environments, with a strong understanding of their respective advantages and challenges for large-scale data management.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field is required.

OR

• Bachelor's degree and relevant career experience
• Master's degree in a relevant field is highly desired.

Clearance:

• Active TOP SECRET clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility.
• Candidate must maintain a TS/SCI clearance as a condition of employment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) access is required.

Travel:

• Occasional travel may be required to support customer engagements, conferences, or technology scouting activities.

U.S. Citizenship: Required for this Position.

The pay range for this position in California is $XXX,000/year to $XXX,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on established government contract ranges, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, and other factors. MTSI also offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Base pay information is based on market location. Applicants should apply via MTSI's internal or external careers site.

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