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Entry Level Modeling Simulation Engineer Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA

Etched

SI/PI Intern

San Jose, CA · On-site

Modeling & Simulation * Build and validate 3D electromagnetic models using Ansys HFSS. Develop ... Progress toward a BS, MS, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related ...

Etched

SI/PI Intern

San Jose, CA · On-site

Modeling & Simulation * Build and validate 3D electromagnetic models using Ansys HFSS. Develop ... Progress toward a BS, MS, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related ...

Raytheon

RF Data Link Engineer II

San Jose, CA

We bring the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to ... Familiarity with wireless fading model simulation. * Knowledge of Layer 2 and above. * Strong ...

Etched

Chip Simulation Software Intern

San Jose, CA · On-site

Backed by hundreds of millions from top-tier investors and staffed by leading engineers, Etched is ... model sizes. Our addressable market is the entirety of inference, unlike many of our competitors.

Etched

Chip Simulation Software Intern

San Jose, CA · On-site

Backed by hundreds of millions from top-tier investors and staffed by leading engineers, Etched is ... model sizes. Our addressable market is the entirety of inference, unlike many of our competitors.

Vinci AI

Procedural Data Generation Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$170K - $230K/yr

Our models deliver ultrafast, accurate thermal and mechanical simulation and our platform puts that capability in the hands of every hardware engineer, not just simulation specialists. The quality of ...

Ayar Labs

Sr. Engineer, Research Software

San Jose, CA · On-site

$170K - $192K/yr

Sr. Engineer, Research Software Location: San Jose, CA (on-site) Ayar Labs is shattering AI data ... the modeling and simulation backbone behind our silicon photonics optical I/O platform. Our team ...

Ayar Labs

Sr. Engineer, Research Software

San Jose, CA

$170K - $192K/yr

Sr. Engineer, Research Software Location: San Jose, CA (on-site) Ayar Labs is shattering AI data ... the modeling and simulation backbone behind our silicon photonics optical I/O platform. Our team ...

Salcomp Manufacturing USA

Lab Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

Simulation & Modeling: Utilize simulation software to model circuit behavior or mechanical ... Education: Bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a ...

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All JobsModeling Simulation Engineer JobsEntry Level Modeling Simulation Engineer JobsEntry Level Modeling Simulation Engineer Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA

Entry Level Modeling Simulation Engineer information

See Santa Cruz, CA salary details

$45K

$142.5K

$220K

How much do entry level modeling simulation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level modeling simulation engineer in Santa Cruz, CA is $142,485.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,200.00 and $169,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Modeling Simulation Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectEntry Level Modeling Simulation EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related fields; basic knowledge of simulation softwareBachelor's in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering; CAD and design software skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, engineering teams, simulation software environmentsDesign studios, manufacturing facilities, engineering departments
Employer & Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, defense, manufacturing companiesProduct design firms, manufacturing companies, R&D departments

While both roles require a background in mechanical engineering and involve technical skills, the Entry Level Modeling Simulation Engineer focuses on creating and analyzing virtual models using simulation software, whereas the Mechanical Design Engineer emphasizes designing physical components and systems. Both roles are essential in product development but differ in their primary tasks and tools used.

What kinds of projects and collaboration can I expect as an Entry Level Modeling Simulation Engineer?

As an Entry Level Modeling Simulation Engineer, you'll typically work on projects involving the creation, testing, and validation of simulation models for systems or products. You'll collaborate closely with senior engineers, software developers, and sometimes project managers to ensure model accuracy and integration into larger projects. Expect to contribute by running simulations, analyzing data, and preparing reports, while learning industry-standard tools and methodologies. The work environment is often team-oriented, with regular meetings to discuss progress and troubleshoot challenges together.

What is an Entry Level Modeling Simulation Engineer?

An Entry Level Modeling Simulation Engineer is a professional who uses computer models and simulations to analyze, test, and improve systems or products, often in fields like aerospace, automotive, or manufacturing. They typically work with software tools to create virtual representations of real-world processes, enabling companies to predict outcomes and optimize designs before physical prototypes are built. This role is ideal for recent graduates or those new to the industry, providing foundational experience in engineering analysis and problem-solving. Responsibilities may include developing simulation models, validating results, and collaborating with senior engineers and other departments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Modeling Simulation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Modeling Simulation Engineer, you need a solid background in mathematics, physics, and computer science, usually supported by a relevant engineering or STEM degree. Familiarity with simulation software (like MATLAB or Simulink), programming languages (such as Python or C++), and version control systems is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork help set you apart in this role. These skills ensure accurate model development, effective collaboration, and the ability to solve complex real-world engineering problems.
What cities near Santa Cruz, CA are hiring for Entry Level Modeling Simulation Engineer jobs? Cities near Santa Cruz, CA with the most Entry Level Modeling Simulation Engineer job openings:
Entry Level Modeling Simulation Engineer jobs near you

Member of Technical Staff - Backend Engineer - Data Systems and APIs

Vinci AI

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$160K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

Member of Technical Staff - Backend Engineer - Data Systems and APIs
About Vinci
We're building a copilot for hardware. Software engineers have powerful AI tools. Hardware engineers still rely on workflows that take hours or days to simulate and iterate. Vinci is changing that.
Our platform combines AI, geometry processing, and physics simulation to help engineers validate designs dramatically faster than traditional tools. The system integrates foundation models with simulation engines to produce full-fidelity physical predictions in seconds instead of hours.
We're a small team building infrastructure that connects AI models, large-scale simulation data, and production software used directly by engineers.
The Role
We're looking for a backend engineer who enjoys building systems that sit between data infrastructure and real product features.
This role spans two major areas:
Data generation systems
  • Build pipelines that generate and process large datasets used for training and evaluating models
  • Manage simulation outputs, geometry data, and experiment artifacts
  • Develop tools for validating, transforming, and curating datasets

Product backend
  • Build and maintain APIs used by the Vinci product
  • Develop integrations with models, simulation engines, and external tools
  • Design services that support the core user workflows of the platform

You'll work across the stack with ML engineers, physics researchers, and product engineers.
What We're Looking For
We value engineers who are comfortable moving between infrastructure, data systems, and product code, and who enjoy building pragmatic systems that ship.
Backend Engineering
  • Experience building and operating production backend services
  • Strong experience designing APIs and service architectures
  • Ability to write clean, maintainable, well-tested code
  • Experience debugging and improving performance, reliability, and observability
  • Comfortable integrating external services, APIs, and internal models
  • Ability to work across teams to translate product requirements into system design

Data & Pipeline Systems
  • Experience building data pipelines or large-scale processing workflows
  • Familiarity with batch processing, distributed systems, or workflow orchestration
  • Experience managing large datasets and data transformations
  • Comfort working with compute-heavy workloads and long-running jobs

Systems & Infrastructure
  • Experience deploying and operating systems in cloud environments (AWS, GCP, or similar)
  • Familiarity with containerized services and modern deployment workflows
    Ability to design systems that balance throughput, latency, and cost

How We Work
We're a small team and engineers own large pieces of the system. That means:
  • Designing systems, not just implementing tickets
  • Shipping features that go directly into the product
  • Working closely with researchers and customers

Apply