ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level Simulation Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

METECS

Junior Simulation Software Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

METECS is seeking an entry-level Simulation Software Engineer to support NASA's simulation efforts as part of the Robotics, Simulations, and Graphics Support (RSGS) team. This role is ideal for ...

The Pennsylvania State University

$76K - $129K/yr

POSITION SPECIFICS We are searching for a Simulation Software Engineer to join our Simulation Software (SSW) Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This motivated and ...

Toyon

Simulation Software Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$110K - $180K/yr

Toyon is seeking a highly motivated software engineer to develop and maintain an internal space systems modeling and simulation application written in C++. The candidate will also deploy scripted ...

Apple

Camera Simulation Software Engineer

San Diego, CA

$120K - $181K/yr

The software engineer will be responsible for the full-product lifecycle of the simulation tools from design/coding/testing to bug fixing and critical new technology integrations. The candidate ...

Etched

Chip Simulation Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

Job Summary We are seeking highly motivated and detail-oriented software engineers to join our chip simulation team. We're building Sohu, the world's first transformer ASIC that leverages tight ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsEntry Level Simulation Software Engineer Jobs

Entry Level Simulation Software Engineer information

See salary details

$24K

$104.9K

$189K

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

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level simulation software engineer in the United States is $104,863.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,000.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software, petroleum, or aerospace engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, holding managerial or technical expert positions, and possessing certifications or advanced degrees.

What is L1, L2, L3, and L4 developer?

In the context of an Entry Level Simulation Software Engineer, L1, L2, L3, and L4 typically refer to different levels of developer experience and responsibility, with L1 being entry-level and L4 being senior or lead roles. These levels often indicate increasing expertise, complexity of tasks handled, and leadership responsibilities, and they may be associated with specific skills, certifications, or project scopes within a development team.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

While most entry-level simulation software engineers do not earn that level of salary, highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as aerospace, defense, or financial modeling can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and stock options. Achieving this typically requires advanced skills, extensive experience, and working in high-paying industries or senior leadership roles.

What does an Entry Level Simulation Software Engineer do?

An Entry Level Simulation Software Engineer develops and tests software that models real-world systems, such as physical processes, engineering designs, or virtual environments. They typically work under the guidance of senior engineers to write code, run simulations, analyze results, and troubleshoot issues. Their work helps organizations predict system behavior, optimize designs, and reduce the need for costly physical prototypes. This role often involves programming, understanding mathematical models, and collaborating with other engineering teams.

Is it true that AI will replace software engineers?

Entry level simulation software engineers develop and test models using programming languages and simulation tools. While AI can automate certain tasks like code generation and testing, it is unlikely to fully replace software engineers, as human expertise is needed for designing, debugging, and understanding complex systems.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level simulation software engineers, and how can they be overcome?

Entry level simulation software engineers often encounter challenges such as understanding complex simulation models, learning industry-specific tools, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. To overcome these hurdles, it's helpful to actively seek mentorship from senior engineers, participate in team meetings to gain context, and dedicate time to hands-on practice with simulation tools. Regular communication with team members and taking advantage of available documentation can also accelerate learning and integration into the workflow.

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

To thrive as an Entry Level Simulation Software Engineer, you need a solid background in computer science, mathematics, and programming languages such as C++, Python, or Java, typically supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with simulation frameworks, modeling tools (like MATLAB or Simulink), and version control systems (such as Git) is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for this role. These abilities enable engineers to develop accurate, efficient simulations and collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams, ensuring successful project outcomes.
More about Entry Level Simulation Software Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Simulation Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Simulation Software Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Simulation Software Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Simulation Software Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Simulation Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Simulation Software Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Simulation Software Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Simulation Software Engineer jobs are:
Entry Level Simulation Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Simulation Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Locum Tenens, 3% Internship, 34% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 51% Contract, and 6% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,863 per year, or $50.4 per hour.
Junior Simulation Software Engineer

Junior Simulation Software Engineer

METECS

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

METECS is seeking an entry-level Simulation Software Engineer to support NASA's simulation efforts as part of the Robotics, Simulations, and Graphics Support (RSGS) team. This role is ideal for candidates with a strong foundation in computer science and software engineering who are interested in applying those skills to challenging problems in aerospace, robotics, human spaceflight, and physics-based simulation.
In this role, you will contribute to the design, development, integration, testing, and maintenance of high-fidelity simulation software that supports engineering analysis across a wide range of human spaceflight programs, including the International Space Station (ISS), Orion, Moon Base, Space Reactor-1 Freedom (SR-1), Human Landing System (HLS), and other advanced exploration initiatives. Projects may include development and enhancement of core dynamics and simulation tools, investigations of crew member stability in lunar and microgravity environments, lunar vehicle simulations, and support of ISS training simulation systems.
Successful candidates will be active contributors to a modern software development environment. Responsibilities include implementing and maintaining features from Git-managed work items, participating in peer code reviews, contributing to automated testing efforts, and helping maintain and improve continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. Candidates should be comfortable working within large, collaborative codebases and applying software engineering best practices to ensure reliability, maintainability, and performance.
Simulation development at METECS is a highly multidisciplinary effort, requiring close collaboration with experts in software engineering, physics, robotics, biomechanics, computer graphics, and aerospace systems. You will work alongside NASA engineers and mission stakeholders to develop simulation capabilities that are accurate, robust, and relevant to real-world mission scenarios.
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
  • Experience in simulations, software development, or a related technical field.
  • Proficiency in C++.
  • Experience working in Linux-based environments.
  • Familiarity with Git for version control.
  • Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
  • Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python.
  • Solid foundation in physics and mathematics.
  • Ability to work independently while contributing to a team-oriented environment.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Exposure to AI/ML concepts and applications.
  • Understanding of the software development life cycle (SDLC).
  • Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing.
  • Familiarity with the Trick simulation framework.
  • Unity, Unreal Engine, EDGE or similar graphics engines.

Citizenship or lawful permanent resident required due to federal position.
About METECS:
We are a high-performance team providing advanced engineering, software, and analysis solutions for human space flight and terrestrial applications. We develop and integrate custom software for NASA and other government and commercial customers utilizing a wide variety of in-house, commercial, and open-source technologies. Our specialties include robotics automation, embedded systems, hardware/software integration, multibody dynamics simulations, immersive computer graphics, XR systems and advanced web-based tools.
METECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Apply