ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Flight Simulation Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Astrolab

Lead Simulation Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$142K - $235K/yr

Software Engineering Employment Type: Full Time Location: Hawthorne, California Reporting To ... flight software running on a flight computer or automobile simulation integrated with on-board ...

Astrolab

Lead Simulation Engineer

Hawthorne, CA

$142K - $235K/yr

The lead simulation engineer will be responsible for directing the technical work of the simulation ... flight software (FSW) verification simulation environment * Work with GNC and software team ...

Astrolab

Lead Simulation Engineer

Hawthorne, CA

The lead simulation engineer will be responsible for directing the technical work of the simulation ... flight software (FSW) verification simulation environment * Work with GNC and software team ...

Anduril Industries

Flight Sciences Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

We are looking for software engineers, hardware engineers, roboticists, and front-end mobile ... Flight Simulation Development: * Design, implement, and maintain high-fidelity flight simulation ...

Hermeus

Senior Software Simulation Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150K - $190K/yr

As a Senior Software Simulation Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and deploying real ... Develop and maintain real-time simulation environments for flight control, avionics, and aircraft ...

Hermeus

Senior Software Simulation Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150K - $190K/yr

As a Senior Software Simulation Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and deploying real ... Develop and maintain real-time simulation environments for flight control, avionics, and aircraft ...

Anduril Industries

Flight Sciences Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

We are looking for software engineers, hardware engineers, roboticists, and front-end mobile ... Flight Simulation Development: * Design, implement, and maintain high-fidelity flight simulation ...

Impulse Space

Senior Simulation Engineer

Redondo Beach, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Senior Simulation Engineer Department: Autonomous Systems Employment Type: Full Time Location ... Provide simulation support for verification and validation of flight software. * Participate in ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFlight Simulation Engineer JobsFlight Simulation Engineer Jobs in California

Flight Simulation Engineer information

See California salary details

$38.5K

$121.8K

$188K

How much do flight simulation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for flight simulation engineer in California is $121,783.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,800.00 and $144,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a flight simulation engineer?

A Flight Simulation Engineer designs, develops, and maintains flight simulators used for pilot training, aircraft testing, and system development. They work with software, hardware, and aerodynamic models to create realistic flight environments. Their role includes troubleshooting, integrating new features, and ensuring the simulator accurately mimics real-world flight conditions. These engineers collaborate with pilots, aerospace engineers, and software developers to enhance simulator performance and reliability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a flight simulation engineer?

A Flight Simulation Engineer typically requires a degree in aerospace, electrical, or software engineering, along with deep knowledge of simulation modeling, computer programming, and avionics systems. Familiarity with simulation platforms like MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing tools, as well as certifications such as FAA or EASA compliance standards, is vital. Strong problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills enable effective teamwork and troubleshooting of complex technical issues. These abilities ensure the accurate development and maintenance of high-fidelity flight simulators used for pilot training and research.

What does a flight simulation engineer do?

As a Flight Simulation Engineer, your typical day often involves designing, coding, and testing simulation models that replicate real aircraft systems and environments. You may collaborate closely with pilots, software developers, and hardware engineers to integrate new features or troubleshoot simulator performance issues. Routine tasks can include conducting system validations, updating software, and ensuring compliance with aviation standards. The role often mixes independent technical work with project team meetings, offering variety and opportunities to learn from experts in multiple disciplines.

Are flight simulation engineers in demand?

Flight simulation engineers are in demand due to the growing need for realistic pilot training and aircraft system testing. The industry values skills in simulation software, hardware integration, and certification processes, with job opportunities often available in aerospace, defense, and training organizations.

How to become a flight simulation engineer?

To become a flight simulation engineer, typically a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field is required. Gaining experience with simulation software, flight systems, and avionics is important, along with strong technical skills and knowledge of aircraft operations. Some roles may also require certifications or specialized training in simulation technology or aviation safety standards.

How much does a flight simulation engineer make?

A flight simulation engineer's salary typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior engineers or those with specialized skills in simulation software and hardware may earn higher salaries, especially in aerospace or defense industries.
What are popular job titles related to Flight Simulation Engineer jobs in California? For Flight Simulation Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Flight Simulation Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Flight Simulation Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Flight Simulation Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Flight Simulation Engineer job openings:
Flight Simulation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Simulation Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,783 per year, or $58.5 per hour.

Senior Simulation Engineer

Metis Technology Solutions Inc

Mountain View, CA • On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Senior Simulation Engineer


The successful applicant will lead simulation and technology projects and experiments, and be part of a team that develops, maintains, and runs simulations in flight simulator facilities at NASA Ames Research Center's SimLabs. SimLabs consists of the Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS), the largest vertical motion simulator in the world; the Advanced Concepts Flight Simulator (ACFS), a hexapod simulator being readied for passenger ride quality research; and FutureFlight Central (FFC), an Air Traffic Control (ATC) simulation facility. The Simulation Engineer will work with team members and research customers to develop, integrate, and test real-time aircraft and spacecraft simulations to fulfill research requirements, generate and validate research data, and provide support during human-in-the-loop simulations to ensure research goals are met. See www.nasa.gov/simlabs and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBgvGmhLFXk&t=66s for more information about SimLabs.


Responsibilities

  1. The Senior Simulation Engineer is responsible for overall management and engineering activities of simulation experiments and technology projects, including:
    1. Project plan development and tracking.
    2. Simulation team task management.
    3. Customer collaboration, and requirements management.
  2. Works within a very software-diverse laboratory environment, addressing system functionality across multiple operating systems (Windows, Linux) and software languages (C/C++, Python, MATLAB/Simulink, Java).
  3. Designs, implements, and modifies aircraft math models and other simulation-specific code per customer requirements. Tests and verifies that models and code meet operational performance requirements.
  4. Works closely with the simulation engineering team to initiate, address, and test new software features and bug fixes.
  5. Operates flight simulators according to research/test plans and serves as the main point of communication for customers and simulation team members involved in running a simulation.
  6. Implements and tests new simulation hardware in the existing simulation infrastructure.
  7. Generates documentation for new software and hardware capabilities, and simulation projects.

Required Qualifications

  1. Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Aeronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline.
  2. More than five years of work experience or other equivalent experience.
  3. Experience in modeling and simulation or equivalent engineering activities.
  4. Experience with MATLAB/Simulink and converting Simulink models to C code using Simulink Coder.
  5. Experience in simulation experiment management.
  6. Strong programming background (e.g., C/C++).
  7. Excellent communication skills.
  8. Eager to learn and understand the simulation software and technologies at SimLabs.


Desired Qualifications

  1. Experience with real-time human-in-the-loop flight simulations and simulators.
  2. Experience in disciplines such as aerodynamics, flight dynamics, flight controls, propulsion, and navigation systems.
  3. Knowledge of Unix shell scripting.
  4. Experience with configuration management tools (such as Git and SVN) and software life cycle practices.


EEOE Including Vets and Disability

No Visa Sponsorship available for this position.