Applied Research Engineer

Location: Washington, DC / New York City / San FranciscoWork Model: DC: Hybrid | NYC & SF: Remote (transitioning to hybrid)Compensation: $180k-$220k base + Equity

Overview

We're seeking an Applied Research Engineer to join an early-stage technology company tackling complex modeling and simulation problems with real-world consequences.

This role sits between research and engineering. You'll investigate unfamiliar physical systems, develop the domain understanding necessary to model them, evaluate existing research, and turn that understanding into working computational models and simulations.

There won't always be an established technique or clean dataset waiting for you. The strongest candidates will be comfortable determining what matters, challenging assumptions, developing new approaches when necessary, and implementing their ideas rather than stopping at the research itself.

What You'll Do

• Research complex physical systems and develop the domain understanding necessary to model them.
• Read, evaluate, and translate technical and academic research into practical implementations.
• Develop computational models and simulations of real-world systems.
• Formulate new modeling approaches when existing methods don't adequately address the problem.
• Test assumptions and compare competing approaches with quantitative rigor and technical judgment.
• Work through incomplete information and problems where the correct approach may not be obvious at the outset.
• Translate research concepts into working software and technical systems.
• Communicate modeling assumptions, limitations, and results clearly to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

What We're Looking For

• Exceptional quantitative and technical problem-solving ability.
• Hands-on research experience involving complex technical or scientific problems.
• Ability to understand technical literature and apply it to novel problems.
• Experience developing mathematical, computational, statistical, or simulation-based models.
• Strong programming skills and the ability to implement your own research ideas.
• Sound judgment when choosing between different modeling approaches.
• Intellectual curiosity and the ability to develop deep expertise in unfamiliar domains.
• Comfort operating across research and engineering rather than exclusively within one discipline.
• U.S. citizenship required and ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

Preferred

• Background in applied mathematics, physics, operations research, scientific computing, computational modeling, or a related quantitative discipline.
• Experience modeling or simulating physical systems.
• Advanced technical degree.
• Experience with defense, aerospace, national security, or other complex operational domains.
• Active U.S. security clearance.

Additional Details

Periodic travel to customer environments may be required, potentially up to approximately 25%. The company expects this hire will eventually need clearance for on-site customer work.

Compensation

The initial compensation target is approximately $180K+ base plus equity, with flexibility for exceptional candidates.