Both were recruited into the State Security Administration (UDBA) immediately after studies, where they quickly rose in rank. During Slobodan Milošević's rise to power, Simatović was the head of the department dealing with affairs of American agencies in Yugoslavia.
Simatović and his counterpart were quickly taken into the State Security Administration (UDBA) right after completing their studies, where they rapidly rose through the ranks. As Slobodan Milošević's authority increased, Simatović headed the department that managed interactions with American agencies in Yugoslavia.