Wargaming Developer – Designer, NATO-JFTC

Yorktown Systems Group is seeking a Wargaming Developer - Designer to support the Joint Force Training Centre (JFTC) located in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The JFTC conducts pre-deployment training activities for current theatres of operations and other exercises and training events as assigned by Allied Command Transformation (ACT). The Wargaming Team enables support of NATO 2030 future training and exercise development through professional wargame design and execution.

Specific duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Work collaboratively with the Wargaming Lead, Scenario Lead, Wargaming Database Engineer, and their respective superiors to establish coordination and production requirements.
• Work collaboratively with Modelling and Simulation (M&S) to facilitate simulation requirements.
• Work collaboratively with other concerned NATO and allied organisations to coordinate database and CAX system requirements.
• Understand the development necessary for professional wargaming to facilitate game design and problem analysis achievement.
• Assist in the coordination of subject matter experts (SMEs) input and scenario research.
• Assist in the development of the required Wargaming products.
• Assist M&S in the development of CAX enabled baseline scenarios.
• Assist in the preparation and execution of sponsored Aim, Objective, and Desired Outcome specification events and design workshops.
• Assist in the development of Wargaming familiarisation training.
• Develop and deliver various briefings/presentations with Wargaming related content.
• Provide critical input in support of active lesson-learning and best practice implementation.
• Archive and catalogue output in a retrievable digital archive.

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in running all aspects of serious/professional wargaming from programming through design, development, execution, and completion of result analysis.
• Significant first-hand experience in playing, facilitating, and adjudicating a combination of traditional board wargames and computer-assisted wargames for analytical and/or educational purposes.
• Experience to provide expert instruction on wargaming theory, educational and analytical wargaming techniques, and wargame facilitation.
• A relevant academic background such as a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Strategic Studies, National Security, International Relations, Operations Research, or a related field.
• Certification in wargaming from professionally recognized military or civilian institutions.
• Expertise in digital tools for analysis, data visualization, and scenario development.
• Native English language speaker or individual presenting very good command of spoken and written English, with a proven ability to communicate effectively at the level of (SLP) NATO STANAG 6001 - 3333.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience integrating wargaming into military education, training exercises, decision-making, and operational planning cycles.
• Experience with military operational planning and analysis, particularly on land-focused higher tactical levels in a comprehensive, joint, and multinational environment.
• Knowledge of commercial computer-based games and military tactics to enhance learning through decision-making exercises.
• Familiarity with military modelling & simulation systems (e.g., JCATS, JTLS, or similar systems).
• A military background and attendance at military staff colleges or defense universities.
• Certifications related to NATO operations, planning, or training and exercises.
• Proven ability to lead and facilitate wargame events, working groups, or seminars.
• Experience in mentoring and training military and/or civilian personnel in wargaming methodologies.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with experience communicating with military and/or civilian senior leaders and Subject Matter Experts.

Clearance: Requires a NATO Secret Security Clearance.