Doug Simons received his Bachelor of Science degree in astronomy at the California Institute of Technology in 1985, and his Ph.D. in astronomy at the University of Hawai‘i Institute for Astronomy in 1990, before working as a staff astronomer at the Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope (CFHT) for 4 years. Doug joined the Gemini 8m Telescope Project in 1994 as the Systems Scientist, then as the Associate Director for Development managed Gemini's instrumentation program for many years before becoming Gemini Observatory’s Director from 2006 2011. Doug returned to CFHT in 2012 where he served as Executive Director for nearly 10 years. In 2021 he returned to his alma mater where he now serves as Director of the UH Institute for Astronomy.

Doug has served on numerous community boards. Currently he is on the Board of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and is President Elect of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce. He is an avid supporter of education and community outreach and has helped develop a number of programs including EnVision Maunakea, Maunakea Fund, Maunakea Scholars, and A Hua He Inoa.