Weapons Effects Phenomenology / High Fidelity Simulations SME

About the role

Red Gate is seeking a Weapons Effects Phenomenology / High Fidelity Simulations Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) mission. This role provides deep technical expertise in shock physics, energetic materials response, and reactive chemistry, applied through high‑fidelity, physics‑based modeling and simulation (M&S) to characterize weapons effects and inform DTRA's counter‑WMD, nuclear technologies, and weapons of mass destruction defeat mission areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority on weapons effects phenomenology, shock‑to‑detonation science, and energetic materials response for high‑fidelity M&S efforts supporting DTRA programs.
• Design, develop, and validate reactive chemistry network models describing material behavior under thermal, mechanical, and shock‑driven loading conditions.
• Integrate experimentally derived reaction networks and material models with hydro‑codes (e.g., CTH, ALE3D) and reactive molecular dynamics frameworks (e.g., ReaxFF, LAMMPS) to produce environment‑dependent, predictive weapons effects simulations.
• Plan and execute experimental diagnostics—including laser‑driven shock physics, gas gun testing, and advanced spectroscopic/mass spectrometry techniques—to characterize detonation chemistry, shock‑induced reactions, phase transitions, and sub‑critical damage mechanisms.
• Translate experimental and simulation findings into technical reports, briefings, and analyses that inform DTRA program decisions, certification milestones, and T&E requirements.
• Support process and model validation reviews to confirm reproducibility, safety controls, and technical performance benchmarks for weapons effects and energetic materials studies.
• Collaborate with government leads, engineering teams, and cross‑functional technical staff to integrate experimental and modeling results into validated, decision‑quality simulation frameworks.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior scientists and engineers on weapons effects test methodologies, laboratory safety, and high‑fidelity simulation practices.
• Identify and recommend advanced instrumentation, diagnostic, and laboratory infrastructure upgrades needed to expand high‑strain‑rate and shock‑response testing capability.
• Support proposal, capture, and business development activities by articulating technical approaches for weapons effects phenomenology and simulation efforts as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, Chemical Engineering, or a related physical science/engineering discipline strongly preferred; M.S. with commensurate direct experience also considered.
• 15+ years of progressive technical experience in high energy density physics, shock physics, or energetic materials research within a national laboratory, DoD, or DOE/NNSA defense environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and validating predictive, multi‑physics models of material response under shock, thermal, and mechanical loading.
• Track record of authoring technical reports, peer‑reviewed publications, and program documentation supporting certification and technical decision milestones.
• Experience mentoring technical staff and collaborating across engineering, safety, and program teams in high‑hazard research environments.

Specialized Domain Expertise

• High Energy Density Physics & Shock‑to‑Detonation Science, including sub‑critical damage and phase‑transition mechanisms in energetic materials.
• Reactive Chemistry Networks in Energetic Materials, with ability to design and validate reaction network models.
• Predictive Multi‑Physics Modeling & Hydro‑Code Integration, coupling experimentally derived reaction networks with hydro‑code simulation frameworks.
• Advanced Diagnostic & Spectroscopic Instrumentation Development (e.g., laser shock diagnostics, optical spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, chemical imaging).
• Energetic Materials Manufacturing, Certification, and Production Readiness Processes.

Core Toolsets

• CTH and ALE3D hydro‑codes for shock and weapons effects simulation.
• ReaxFF and LAMMPS for reactive molecular dynamics and chemistry modeling.
• CHEETAH thermochemical/detonation performance code and AXSIA multivariate chemical imaging analysis.
• LabVIEW, MATLAB, and Mathematica for instrumentation control, data acquisition, and analysis.

Technical Stack

• High‑fidelity hydro‑code and multi‑physics simulation environments (CTH, ALE3D).
• Reactive chemistry and molecular dynamics modeling environments (ReaxFF, LAMMPS).
• Advanced diagnostic and analytical instrumentation, including mass spectrometry, chemical imaging, laser shock diagnostics, optical spectroscopy, and vacuum system/beamline instrumentation.
• Data acquisition, analysis, and program data management tools (LabVIEW, MATLAB, Mathematica, FileMaker Pro).

M&S Frameworks

• CTH and ALE3D (shock physics / hydro‑code simulation).
• ReaxFF (reactive force‑field molecular dynamics) and LAMMPS (large‑scale atomistic/molecular simulation).
• CHEETAH (thermochemical detonation performance modeling) and AXSIA (chemical imaging/spectral analysis).

Work Location

Candidate must be able to work full‑time on‑site at DTRA HQ (Fort Belvoir, VA).

Company Description

The Red Gate Group, founded in 2006, is a Service‑Disabled Veteran‑Owned Company based in Chantilly, VA. As an SDVOSB, Red Gate delivers multi‑tiered services in intelligence analysis, strategic planning, program management, policy development, operational design, and technology integration. The firm provides customer‑centric solutions worldwide, from the foxhole to the highest levels of government. Its motto, “Making a Difference for Country and Client,” reflects a deep commitment to national security and service excellence.

Benefits

• Flexible time off and 11 paid holidays.
• Immediate 401(k) eligibility with a generous match.
• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 100% company‑paid life insurance and disability benefits.
• Professional development assistance for degrees and certifications.
• Culture focused on growth, work‑life balance, and employee wellbeing.