1

Wargaming Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Wargaming Specialist The Opportunity: Space has evolved from a peaceful environment into a contested and congested domain. The U.S. Space Force is rapidly expanding to address global threats. Booz ...

Wargaming Specialist

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$87 - $198/hr

You Have:Experience in wargaming, experimentation, and capability gap assessments for DoW customersExperience with Excel features, including data modeling and PowerPivotExperience performing ...

This role brings deep operations research expertise to modeling, simulation, and analysis (MS&A) of complex space sensing missions - including wargaming, exercise analysis, test and evaluation, and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Wargaming information

See California salary details

$78.3K

$115.9K

$169.9K

How much do wargaming jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for wargaming in California is $115,875.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,026.00 and $160,103.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a wargaming?

A Wargaming job involves designing, analyzing, and facilitating strategic simulations to explore potential scenarios in military, business, or gaming contexts. Professionals in this field create realistic models to test strategies, assess risks, and improve decision-making. These roles often require expertise in game theory, military strategy, data analysis, and scenario planning. Depending on the industry, wargaming can be used for training, competitive analysis, or strategic forecasting.

What does a wargaming do?

A typical day in a wargaming position often involves designing and developing scenarios, analyzing historical and current military operations, and running computer-based or table-top simulations. Professionals frequently collaborate with subject matter experts, military officers, and analysts to validate scenarios and interpret results. The role may also include preparing detailed reports, presenting findings to clients or stakeholders, and attending planning or debrief meetings. This dynamic environment offers opportunities for both independent research and team-based problem-solving, making each day varied and intellectually stimulating.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a wargaming position?

To thrive in wargaming, you need strong analytical skills, a solid understanding of military strategy and tactics, and often an advanced degree in fields such as international relations, defense studies, or operations research. Familiarity with simulation software, data analysis tools, and scenario development platforms is commonly required, along with certifications in modeling and simulation or defense analysis. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and teamwork abilities help facilitate collaboration and effective presentation of findings. These competencies are critical for developing realistic scenarios, informing decision-makers, and contributing valuable insights in military or security planning environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Wargaming jobs in California?

The most popular types of Wargaming jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Wargaming jobs in California?

For Wargaming jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Wargaming jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Wargaming jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Wargaming jobs?

Cities in California with the most Wargaming job openings:

Infographic showing various Wargaming job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $115,875 per year, or $55.7 per hour.

Space Operations Wargaming Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Prevailance, Inc.

Lompoc, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Description

This position is contingent upon contract award. Multiple positions available.


The Space Operations Wargaming SME is responsible for designing, developing, executing, and assessing wargaming scenarios and exercise events that replicate realistic operational environments. This role ensures students/trainees are prepared to operate in contested, degraded, and operationally limited (CDO) space environments.


Tasks


Wargaming Design & Execution

  • Create and facilitate space operations capstone level wargame in support of 9 mission areas: Orbital Warfare, Space Electromagnetic Warfare, Cyber Warfare, Satellite Communications (SATCOM), Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR), Missile Warning/Missile Defense, C2-CSpOC, C2-NSDC, and Space Domain Awareness (SDA)
  • Create operationally realistic injects, vignettes, and adversarial conditions that challenge student decision-making in space domain operations
  • Execute tabletop exercises, simulation-based wargames, and live-virtual-constructive (LVC) environments
  • Manage wargaming events from concept through after-action review (AAR), ensuring fidelity to real-world USSF operational doctrine and TTPs
  • Develop and maintain wargaming training materials including scenario packages, red team playbooks, facilitator guides, and student assessments
  • Align wargaming objectives with training standards, and Joint doctrine

Administration and Coordination

  • Incorporate lessons learned from operational space units, exercise programs and allied/partner training events
  • Maintain all exercise documentation in the curriculum management system in accordance with training standards
  • Collaborate with course directors, curriculum developers, and subject matter experts to integrate wargaming into formal training pipelines
  • Assess and update wargaming curricula on a recurring basis to reflect changes in adversary capabilities, doctrine, and emerging space threats
  • Support integration of classified operational data and intelligence products into unclassified/classified training scenarios as appropriate
  • Coordinate with higher headquarters, services, and allied partners for joint and combined wargaming opportunities.
  • Support USSF-wide wargaming initiatives and other designated exercises as required
  • Interface with the National Security Space Institute (NSSI), Space Delta training elements, and other USSF training entities to synchronize wargaming efforts
  • Maintain documentation of all wargaming events, scenario libraries, and student performance records

Requirements

Required Qualifications

  • Minimum of five (5) years in executing military wargames
  • Expert knowledge of basic game designs
  • Demonstrated knowledge in building playable but accurate games for space systems
  • Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide graphical representation and abstraction of space movement and maneuvering
  • Ability to integrate space capabilities into the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP) and Exercise Life Cycle 
  • Knowledge of Tabletop Seminar, Role-Based Tabletop Simulation, and Distributed Operations Simulation
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct problem-solving and adaptability to dynamic space operational environments
  • Ability to analyze complex technical content and translate it into clear, sequenced instruction aligned to performance objectives.
  • Ability to communicate technical details to military operational and planning audience
  • Skill in using distributed training systems, simulator platforms, and computer-based training (CBT) tools

Desired Qualifications

  • Minimum of five (5) years in U.S. military Space Operations as military member or civilian
  • Deep understanding of space domain operations, including satellite communications, space surveillance, and space-based sensors 
  • Experience in conducting operational or tactical games on US Space Operations to include the nine (9) mission areas 
  • Experience in modeling and simulating orbital mechanics and space flight 
  • Experience in designing scenarios linking space operations to public policy, cyber, acquisition, and strategic defense
  • Experience in facilitating entry level wargames
  • Experience developing threat scenarios using intelligence community products and red team methodologies

Education Requirements

  • Bachelors degree or Certificate in Wargaming from a military affiliated institution desired

Clearance Level: TS/SCI clearance eligibility is required