Wargame Designer

SGP Recruiting provides both operations and strategic support to Tribal 8(a) and commercial organizations. Our client is an ISO certified international Information Technology consulting and Engineering Services company focused on supporting public and private sector customers as they tackle their most daunting Information Technology and business challenges.

They are seeking a Wargame Designer to support an upcoming NATO ACT program in Norfolk, VA. This is a great opportunity to be part of an international company specializing in the provision of services in the area of information systems and technologies, outsourcing solutions, and application development services to government and non-government organizations.

Working Location: Norfolk, VA, USA

Security Clearance: NATO Secret

Language: High proficiency level in English language

DUTIES/ROLE:

• Engage with the game sponsor, Project Manager, and Game Director to define the problem statement, aim, objectives, research questions, and intended use of wargame outputs.
• Research relevant doctrine, existing wargames (commercial and professional), academic writings, and lessons learned to inform design choices.
• Develop or adapt the core rules, mechanics, and structure of the wargame to ensure alignment with objectives and constraints, including available time, participant numbers, classification level, and required outputs.
• Design and produce physical and digital wargame components, including maps, boards, markers, cards, adjudication tools, and software interfaces.
• Coordinate closely with the scenario coordinator, analysts, and event planners to integrate scenario content and ensure venue layouts support compelling gameplay.
• Lead or assist with playtesting, rehearsals, and refinement cycles, incorporating facilitator and analyst feedback to ensure the wargame achieves its intended purpose.
• Prepare and deliver design briefs and validation reports, articulating how the design meets the sponsor’s objectives.
• Support wargame execution by helping facilitate gameplay, explaining rules, and troubleshooting design-related issues as they arise.
• Perform additional tasks related to event planning / wargame design or documentation as required by the COTR within the scope of this contract.
  
  

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

• Nationality of one of the NATO member countries.
• 4-Year University baccalaureate degree in security/defence studies, analysis or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in wargame design, development or similar structured analytical design in the past five (5) years, preferably within multinational or military environments.
• Demonstrated ability to create or adapt core rules, mechanics, and structures for wargames aligned with specific aims and objectives.
• Demonstrated experience conducting or leading playtesting cycles, incorporating feedback to refine wargame products.
• Demonstrated experience working in multinational teams.
• Demonstrated stakeholder engagement and coordination experience.
• NATO Secret Security Clearance or national equivalent.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office Tool suite, collaborative platforms, and familiarity with visualization tools (e.g., Microsoft Visio or similar).
• Prior experience designing or supporting NATO wargames at an operational or strategic level.
• Demonstrated experience preparing design briefs, validation reports, or contributing sections to final wargame reports and after-action report (AAR) documentation.