Applied Scientist at Improbable-2

We are Improbable U.S. Defense & National Security, and we apply our synthetic environment development platform to help defense and national security teams plan and train for complex threats. Our teams in Arlington, Virginia, and other U.S. locations combine expertise in AI, machine learning, computational modeling, and distributed systems to turn multiplayer gaming technology into practical tools for real-world missions. We are currently seeking a Senior Applied Scientist to join us on a full-time, hybrid basis and contribute to the creation of the most realistic virtual worlds for critical security challenges.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and evaluate complex models and simulations that address a range of defense and national security problems, from generating realistic synthetic entities to representing real-world systems.
• Iterate on modeling and simulation approaches by integrating best-in-class models, prototyping solutions, and collaborating with engineers to deploy high-performance implementations in production environments.
• Work directly with customers and internal product teams to understand operational needs, define modeling assumptions, assess data quality, and demonstrate the reliability of the models we deliver.

Requirements

• Strong background delivering technical, data-rich projects, ideally for external clients, along with a degree in a scientific, engineering, or mathematical field that includes a computational component.
• Demonstrated knowledge of statistical modeling and analysis, plus experience with agent-based modeling, micro-simulation, computational social science, or modeling socio-technical systems.
• Hands-on experience with game engines such as Unity or Unreal, pragmatic coding fluency in at least one relevant language (we use Python, R, Java, C, and C++), and the ability to work with complex real-world data, including geospatial datasets.
• Skill in breaking down problem requirements, selecting effective analytical methods, developing defensible solutions, and communicating findings to clients through writing, visualization, and in-person discussions.

What we offer

• Hybrid work arrangements that combine time in our Arlington, Virginia office with flexibility to work from other approved U.S. locations.
• The opportunity to collaborate with experts across AI, machine learning, computational modeling, and distributed systems on projects that directly support national security missions.
• A culture that values continuous improvement, solving hard technical problems, and delivering technology with meaningful, real-world impact.