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Engineering

Oil and Gas (O&G) Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Columbia, MD / HybridFull-time$150,000 - $210,000 per yearPosted November 9, 2026

Overview

Talon Defense seeks an experienced refinery process modeler to build and review steady-state and dynamic process simulations. The ideal candidate is a design engineer or control loop programmer who builds refinery models in process simulation tools.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop steady-state and dynamic refinery process simulations as directed
  • Develop refinery-adjacent process simulations as directed
  • Fill data gaps with engineering judgment based on education and experience
  • Provide technical, analytic, and advisory subject matter expertise in refinery processes
  • Advise analysts on refinery process model design and approaches
  • Review and verify that refinery models are accurate to the available data, with gaps filled by reasonable engineering assumptions

Required Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience building process models of crude oil processing units and other refinery units
  • Breadth of experience simulating refinery units, including fractionation, separation, heat exchangers, and virtual control loops
  • Experience as a design engineer or control loop programmer using process simulation tools
  • Eligibility for a TS/SCI clearance
  • Ability to work on site periodically to review internally developed models and access data; final model details will be incorporated in a classified environment

Preferred Qualifications

  • Reactor and reaction simulation experience

Compensation

$150,000 - $210,000 per year

Medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with company match; paid time off and federal holidays; life insurance; professional development and certification reimbursement.

Annual performance bonus; employee referral bonuses.

Salary offered will depend on numerous qualifying factors such as clearance, degree and the years and depth of applicable experience.

Security Clearance

TS/SCI eligible

Travel

On site one week every two months, which may change to two consecutive weeks every quarter to every six months. Generic model development may be done at your usual work location if your organization permits it and you have the appropriate software.

Talon Defense, Inc. provides equal opportunities to qualified employees and prospective employees without regard to age, race, color, religion, pregnancy, sex, national origin, veteran status, uniformed status, physical or mental disability, or other protected characteristics.

Interested in this role?

Send us your resume and a brief introduction. We'd love to hear from you.

Apply Now

Questions about this position? Contact us at careers@talondefense.com