Staff Engineer, Modelling and Simulation (R6248)

Shield AI

San Diego, CA

On-site

Who this role is best for

Aimed at senior simulation engineers with deep technical expertise who can lead complex software development and cross-functional collaboration.

Best fit for

Candidates with 10+ years of experience in aerospace simulation and real-time software development
— “Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree”
Individuals who have led simulation infrastructure design and mentored engineering teams
— “Set technical direction, lead design reviews, and mentor engineers in simulation architecture”
Professionals with a track record of building Monte Carlo systems for large-scale campaigns
— “Experience both developing Monte Carlo infrastructure and using it to design, execute, and analyze simulation campaigns”

Things to consider

Background checks and reference checks are mandatory prerequisites for employment
— “All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check”
Military fellows and part-time employees are excluded from benefits
— “Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits”

How to stand out

Highlight your leadership in simulation design and cross-team collaboration in your resume
— “Set technical direction, lead design reviews, and mentor engineers”
Demonstrate hands-on experience in multithreaded aerospace simulation systems
— “Demonstrated experience building and running multithreaded/multiprocess real-time simulations involving aircraft dynamics”
Showcase your ability to translate operational requirements into simulation interfaces
— “Partner with autonomy, GNC, and RTA engineers as well as operators in the field to translate evaluation needs into simulation interfaces”
Emphasize your background in real-time simulation with physics models like 6DoF or 3DoF
— “Support platform specific performance validation using physics models (e.g, 6DoF, 3DoF, etc.)”
Include experience with industry-standard tools such as JSBSim or Simulink
— “Experience with industry-standard simulation tools such as JSBSim, FlightGear, X-Plane, Gazebo, Isaac Sim, or Simulink”

Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

Developed reusable simulation frameworks
Led design reviews and mentored engineers

Typical background

10+ years of experience in software developmentExperience in simulation and performance-critical software

Skills & requirements

Required

C++Monte Carlo SimulationMultithreaded/multiprocess SimulationV&V Lifecycle

Preferred

PythonHLADISFmi/fmuClosed-loop Autonomy SimulationUncertainty ModelingDo-178c

Stack & domain

C++Monte Carlo InfrastructureMultithreaded And Multi-process SimulationAircraft DynamicsV&V LifecycleHLADISFmi/fmuJsbsimFlightgearX-planeGazeboIsaac SimSimulinkClosed-loop Autonomy SimulationUncertainty ModelingStatistical AnalysisScenario CoverageTechnical Decision-makingMentoringCollaborationTeamworkDefense-techAutonomyGNCRTASimulationSynthetic RealityAirworthiness CertificationDo-178cMil-hdbk-516c

About the role

Original posting from Shield AI via Lever

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
What you'll do::
Grow the simulation framework’s ecosystem by integrating existing simulators and established standards, and by build new ones where needs are identified.
Build reusable Monte Carlo infrastructure for parameterization, execution, reproducibility, and collection of results across large simulation campaigns.
Develop multithreaded and multi-process simulation capabilities, addressing synchronization, timing, state exchange, and performance.
Partner with autonomy, GNC, and RTA engineers as well as operators in the field to translate evaluation needs into simulation interfaces and infrastructure.
Support platform specific performance validation using physics models (e.g, 6DoF, 3DoF, etc.).
Set technical direction, lead design reviews, and mentor engineers in simulation architecture and production software development.
Required qualifications::
Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 9 years with a Master’s degree; or 7 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
Strong proficiency in C++, with demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and maintaining production performance-critical software.
Demonstrated experience building and running multithreaded/multiprocess real-time simulations involving aircraft dynamics.
Experience both developing Monte Carlo infrastructure and using it to design, execute, and analyze simulation campaigns.
Demonstrated ability to drive technical decisions, mentor engineers, and collaborate across software and domain engineering teams.
Experience developing software/simulation under a defined V&V lifecycle
Preferred qualifications::
Experience supporting airworthiness certification efforts, including developing simulation evidence for verification, validation, and safety assessment (e.g., DO-178C, MIL-HDBK-516C).
Strong Python skills for simulation tooling, experiment automation, and analysis.
Experience with distributed simulation and model interoperability standards such as HLA, DIS, and FMI/FMU.
Experience with industry-standard simulation tools such as JSBSim, FlightGear, X-Plane, Gazebo, Isaac Sim, or Simulink, or equivalent environments.
Experience with closed-loop autonomy simulation, including sensor inputs and interfaces between autonomy and the simulated environment.
Experience with uncertainty modeling, statistical analysis, and scenario coverage for Monte Carlo evaluation.
Testing / Operating Safety Critical Software (e.g., DO-178C)
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

Source: Shield AI careers (Lever)