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Defense Modeling Simulation Jobs in Carlsbad, CA

Inversion

Simulation Engineer I, Arc Vehicle

Vista, CA · On-site

$71K - $124K/yr

Space Force and NASA, Inversion is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space-based defense ... Develop, test, and maintain simulation models for spacecraft subsystems, environmental dynamics ...

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All JobsDefense Modeling Simulation JobsDefense Modeling Simulation Jobs in Carlsbad, CA

Defense Modeling Simulation information

See Carlsbad, CA salary details

$40.5K

$105K

$149.4K

How much do defense modeling simulation jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense modeling simulation in Carlsbad, CA is $105,038.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,400.00 and $134,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Defense Modeling Simulation vs Defense Systems Engineer?

AspectDefense Modeling SimulationDefense Systems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in engineering, computer science, or related fields; often certifications in modeling and simulationBachelor's or higher in engineering, systems engineering, or related fields; certifications in systems engineering may be preferred
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, defense contractors, government agencies; focus on simulation development and analysisDesign, develop, and integrate defense systems; work in engineering teams within defense companies or military organizations
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in defense research, simulation development, and testingInvolved in system design, integration, and lifecycle management of defense platforms

Defense Modeling Simulation specialists focus on creating and analyzing simulations to test defense concepts, while Defense Systems Engineers design and develop actual defense systems. Both roles require engineering backgrounds but differ in their core responsibilities and work environments.

What cities near Carlsbad, CA are hiring for Defense Modeling Simulation jobs?

Cities near Carlsbad, CA with the most Defense Modeling Simulation job openings:

Defense Modeling Simulation jobs near you

Staff Engineer, Modeling & Simulation (R4869)

Shield AI

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

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.
Job Description:
The Aircraft Simulation team turns frontier autonomy into mission-ready aircraft. We own the commit-to-flight pipeline-deterministic aircraft and mission simulation, HITL/SITL integration, CI/CD, and tooling for automated flight qualification testing. Our goal is simple: make AI fly-safely, reliably, and fast.
As a Staff Modeling & Simulation Engineer, you will be dedicated to Shield AI's next-generation aircraft program, contributing to our emergent modeling & simulation tooling. You'll design, build, and scale novel aircraft subsystem models, develop infrastructure that enables robust automated testing for our next generation XBAT product line, and conduct system performance analysis.
What you'll do:
  • Develop models and infrastructure for the integrated simulation pipeline in C++.
  • Design deterministic, high-performance simulation tools capable of faster-than-real-time execution for development, testing, and release.
  • Implement test scenarios and write unit, system, and regression tests.
  • Collaborate across autonomy, embedded, GNC, and test engineering to ensure the simulation mirrors real aircraft behavior and mission scenarios.
  • Contribute to platform-agnostic simulation tooling to accelerate current and future aircraft design and development efforts.
  • Perform verification and validation (V&V) analysis activities on modeling tools.
  • Conduct system performance analysis and generate reports and visualizations.
  • Utilize best practices in C++, simulation architecture, and performance engineering.

Required qualifications:
  • BS or MS in Computer Science, Aerospace, Robotics, or related field.
  • 7+ years of experience in simulation software development, with emphasis on modern C++ (C++17 or later) and performance optimization.
  • Strong understanding of rigid-body dynamics, kinematics, aerodynamics, and sensor mechanics.
  • Proven experience developing or integrating simulation systems for robotics, aerospace, and/or autonomous systems.
  • Ability to debug complex build and runtime environments (CMake, package management, logging, and profiling tools).
  • Experience with software testing tools (GTest, etc.)
  • Experience with simulation V&V.
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills across software, hardware, and systems disciplines.
  • Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

Preferred qualifications:
  • Grasp of real-time and deterministic software design, including multi-threading, synchronization, and memory management.
  • Experience with DevOps-integrated simulation workflows, including CI/CD and automated hardware testing environments.
  • Working knowledge of Python for data analysis, test automation, or simulation orchestration.
  • Familiarity with aircraft and flight physics modeling.

#LI-SM1
#LD
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.
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.

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