Senior Defense Technologist - Air Warfare

Senior Defense Technologist - Air Warfare Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. 401(k) United States, Virginia, Arlington May 05, 2026 Modern Technology Solutions Incorporated (MTSI) is seeking a Senior Defense Technologist specializing in air warfare. You will be critical in advancing U.S. national security by ensuring cutting-edge air domain capabilities are integrated into multi-domain operations and strategic campaign planning. Your expertise will help shape the development, implementation, and operational readiness of air warfare systems, strengthening the warfighter's ability to deter adversaries and succeed in future conflicts.

This position is located in the National Capital Region (NCR). You'll be a great fit for this role if: You're an

Innovative Problem Solver:

You approach challenges with creativity and aren't afraid to disrupt the status quo to develop groundbreaking solutions. You're Comfortable in

Ambiguity:

You excel in uncertain and fast-changing environments, turning complex problems into clear strategies with minimal direction.

You Leverage Expertise Everywhere:

You have a knack for identifying and engaging the right experts and resources, forging connections to solve tough technical and operational problems. You See the

Big Picture:

You're able to identify opportunities to transform the art of the possible, considering how air warfare capabilities fit into future operational and technological landscapes.

You're Passionate and Persuasive:

You bring energy, vision, and credibility to drive meaningful discussions with senior leaders, challenging traditional thinking with bold yet pragmatic ideas.

Responsibilities:

A successful candidate will provide technical expertise and operational insights on air warfare systems and capabilities to support campaign analysis, modeling, and capability assessments. Your essential job functions will include but may not be limited to: Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for platforms, systems, and capabilities within theairdomain, advising on their integration into multi-domainwarfarescenarios. Provide detailed technical analysis ofairwarfarecapabilities and requirements as part of broader operational campaign assessments. Assessairdomain capabilities in the context of joint and coalitionwarfare, ensuring effective integration with land, maritime, cyber, and space domains. Offer expertise on how current and emergingairwarfaretechnologies contribute to operational effectiveness in integrated campaigns. Collaborate with analysts conducting campaign-level modeling to ensureairdomain insights accurately inform operational studies. Provide recommendations onairwarfarecapability gaps and future investment priorities based on campaign results. Work with DoD stakeholders (Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Service Components) to advocate for investments inairwarfarecapabilities that demonstrate operational value in campaign scenarios. Ensure the incorporation of advancedairwarfaresystems and architectures into military planning efforts. Provide expert input into the development and transition of novelairwarfaretechnologies from R D programs into operational force structures. Support evaluations of technology viability and readiness for integration into joint force operations. Engage with senior DoD leadership to provideairwarfareinsights that inform strategic and operational decisions. Advise onairtechnology contributions to thrust areas identified. Navigating foreign disclosure processes. Generating support documentation (e.g., scenario, background, order of battle).

Qualifications Required:

15 years of experience working with advanced air warfare technologies, systems, and platforms with emphasis on: Supportingwarfareplanning, development, and execution related to R D initiatives. Conceiving, planning, and conducting research analyses that combine operational expertise with innovativeairwarfaretechnology approaches. Assessing military effectiveness and feasibility ofairsystems within operational contexts.

Education:

Required:

Master's degree in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Preferred:

Doctoral/Terminal degree in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or a related technical discipline. Even better if you have these desired skills: Significant expertise in transitioning advanced air warfare systems from R D programs into operational use. Demonstrated knowledge of program transition efforts and familiarity with transitioning technologies into joint force structures. Background in working with Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, or military services to integrate air domain capabilities into campaign planning. Joint/Combatant Command staff experience (highly preferred).

Clearance Requirements:

An active Top Secret (TS) security clearance (with SCI and SAP/CAP eligibility) is required. #LI-AC1 #

LI-Onsite Interesting Work:

Our co-workers support some of the most important and critical programs to our national defense and security.

Values:

Our first core value is that employees come first. We challenge our co-workers to provide the highest level of support and service, and reward them with some of the best benefits in the industry. 100%

Employee Owned:

We have a stake in each other's success, and the success of our customers. It's also nice to know what's going on across the company; we have company wide town-hall meetings three times a year. Great Benefits - Most Full-Time Staff Are Eligible for: Starting PTO accrual of 20 days PTO/year + 10 holidays/year Flexible schedules 6% 401k match with immediate vesting up to $9k annually Semi-annual bonus eligibility (July and December) Company funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - a separate qualified retirement account Up to $10,000 in annual educational reimbursement Other company funded benefits, like life and disability insurance Optional zero deductible Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance plan

Track Record of Success:

We have grown every year since our founding in 1993. Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) is a 100% employee-owned engineering services and solutions company that provides high-demand technical expertise in Digital Transformation, Modeling and Simulation, Rapid Capability Development, Test and Evaluation, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, Cybersecurity and Mission Assurance MTSI delivers capabilities to solve problems of global importance. Founded in 1993, MTSI today has employees at over 20 offices and field sites worldwide. For more information about MTSI, please visit www.mtsi-va.com MTSI embraces nine core values including our first core value of Employees come first. Consistent with our Core Values, we are committed to Equal Opportunity, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, military/veteran status, disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. MTSI is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with physical and/or mental disabilities.