Senior Systems Engineer, Modeling and Simulation

Senior Systems Engineer, Modeling and Simulation Company Overview

Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with bragging rights to the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world. For over 20 years, Iridium’s unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things. Iridium serves first responders, humanitarian organizations, global militaries, scientific researchers, lone workers, ships, aircraft, and remote operations.

We pride ourselves on offering a reliable lifeline when needed and providing an exciting, innovative workplace that challenges employees to think outside the box. We foster an empowering, inclusive culture that allows employees to genuinely be their best selves and celebrate our impact worldwide.

We are seeking a motivated Senior Systems Engineer, Modeling and Simulation to join our Government Programs Solutions Engineering Team on a Space Development Agency (SDA) project. As a Network Modeling and Simulation Engineer you will independently design, build, and apply tools and models for the analysis, simulation, and testing of space and ground communication networks, working with IP‑based network architectures, MPLS, NETCONF, and routing protocols.

• Develop and maintain network modeling and simulation tools to support design, analysis, and testing of IP‑based communication networks.
• Build models of IP networks using MPLS, NETCONF, OSPF, BGP, and other routing and transport protocols.
• Perform requirements analysis, definition, decomposition, and management for network systems.
• Collaborate with the Chief Engineer and Project Systems Engineers to ensure technical accuracy and value of network models and simulations.
• Conduct functional and performance analysis, interface definition, and detailed trade studies for space and ground network architectures.
• Participate in technical reviews such as Systems Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), and Program Increment Demonstrations.
• Design and execute simulations that guarantee network designs meet technical performance targets.
• Analyze network data, validate simulation models, and refine them to improve accuracy and fidelity.
• Translate stakeholder needs into actionable models, tools, and simulation approaches.

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field.
• 8+ years of engineering experience on complex technical projects, preferably in telecommunications, IP networking, or satellite communications.
• Hands‑on experience with IP networks, MPLS, NETCONF, and routing protocols such as OSPF, BGP, IS‑IS, and EIGRP.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to confidently present products, deliverables, analyses, and issues.
• Analytical mindset, capable of critically developing solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to work independently as an individual contributor while collaborating effectively with engineering teams.
• Prioritization skills and a strong sense of ownership over work.
• Continuous improvement mindset and active pursuit of technical knowledge.
• Accountability for the success of both self and team.

• Master’s degree in a STEM field.
• An active/current Secret Security Clearance or eligibility to obtain one.
• Experience with commercial or open‑source network modeling and simulation tools such as Cisco Modeling Labs, OPNET, ns‑3, OMNeT++, or similar.
• Familiarity with physics‑based modeling tools such as STK, AFSIM, or similar.
• Programming skills in Python, C++, Java, or scripting languages (preferred but not required).
• Knowledge of network configuration and automation (NETCONF, YANG, Ansible).
• Understanding of satellite link budgets, routers, switches, and communication protocols.
• Experience deploying and managing network models in cloud‑based, containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes, AWS) with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing.
• Strong knowledge of system engineering and/or network…