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Flight Simulation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Anduril Industries

Flight Sciences Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

Flight Simulation Development: * Design, implement, and maintain high-fidelity flight simulation models. * Utilize simulation to evaluate aircraft performance and reliability. * Validate simulation ...

Anduril Industries

Flight Sciences Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

Flight Simulation Development: * Design, implement, and maintain high-fidelity flight simulation models. * Utilize simulation to evaluate aircraft performance and reliability. * Validate simulation ...

Slope

Senior Flight Sciences Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$191 - $253/hr

Flight Simulation Development: * Design, implement, and maintain high‑fidelity flight simulation models. * Utilize simulation to evaluate aircraft performance and reliability. * Validate simulation ...

Elroy Air

Flight Sciences Engineer

Byron, CA · Hybrid

$203K - $280K/yr

As a Flight Sciences Engineer at Elroy Air, you will own performance analysis, flight dynamics, and ... Build and improve simulation environments used for envelope expansion, handling qualities ...

Elroy Air

Flight Sciences Engineer

Byron, CA · Hybrid

As a Flight Sciences Engineer at Elroy Air, you will own performance analysis, flight dynamics, and ... Build and improve simulation environments used for envelope expansion, handling qualities ...

Stratolaunch

Flight Sciences Engineer

Mojave, CA · Hybrid

Contribute to flight performance simulations through modeling and/or aerodynamic analyses * Analyze wind tunnel and flight test data, as required * Develop advanced design tools, as required

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Flight Simulation information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$66.7K

$119.9K

How much do flight simulation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for flight simulation in California is $66,716.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,400.00 and $78,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in flight simulation, and how can they be overcome?

Professionals in flight simulation often encounter challenges such as rapidly evolving technology, maintaining simulation accuracy, and integrating new aircraft systems into existing platforms. Staying current with software updates and industry best practices is essential to address these issues. Collaboration with engineers, pilots, and training staff also helps ensure that simulations meet real-world training needs and regulatory standards. Regular communication and ongoing professional development are key to overcoming these challenges and excelling in the field.

What are flight simulation jobs?

Flight simulation jobs involve designing, operating, or maintaining flight simulators used for pilot training, aircraft testing, or research. Professionals in this field may work as engineers, technicians, instructors, or software developers. Their responsibilities typically include creating realistic flight scenarios, ensuring simulator accuracy, troubleshooting technical issues, and training pilots to handle various flying conditions. These roles are essential in aviation for safe and cost-effective pilot training, as well as for testing new aircraft technologies.

What is the difference between Flight Simulation vs Flight Instructor?

AspectFlight SimulationFlight Instructor
Required CredentialsTypically requires technical certifications, simulator operation licenses, and sometimes pilot licensesRequires pilot licenses, flight hours, and instructor certifications
Work EnvironmentSimulators, training centers, or aerospace facilitiesFlight schools, airports, or training aircraft
Employer & Industry UsageAirlines, aerospace companies, military, training centersFlight schools, aviation academies, airlines

Flight Simulation involves operating and managing flight simulators for training or testing purposes, focusing on technical and software skills. Flight Instructors teach pilots in real aircraft or simulators, emphasizing instructional skills and pilot expertise. Both roles are essential in aviation training but differ in environment and certification requirements.

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

To thrive as a Flight Simulation Engineer, you need strong skills in aerospace engineering, computer science, and mathematics, typically backed by a relevant degree. Expertise in simulation software (such as MATLAB/Simulink, C++, or flight dynamics modeling tools) and familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) systems are commonly required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are critical soft skills that help address complex technical challenges. These competencies are important to ensure accurate, reliable simulations that support pilot training, aircraft development, and safety standards.
What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Simulation jobs in California? The most popular types of Flight Simulation jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Flight Simulation jobs? Cities in California with the most Flight Simulation job openings:
Flight Simulation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Simulation job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,716 per year, or $32.1 per hour.

Flight Sciences Engineer

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 75,192 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Tactical Recon and Strike team at Anduril develops aerial small drones (Group 1-3) and all equipment to test, deploy and operate. The team is responsible for taking products like Ghost, Anvil, Bolt and Altius from paper sketches to operational systems. We work in close coordination with specialist teams to solve some of the hardest problems facing our customers. We are looking for software engineers, hardware engineers, roboticists, and front-end mobile developers who are excited about creating a powerful robotics platform that can be tasked and viewed in real-time through a variety of interfaces.

The guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) team within TRS performs implementation, analysis, test, and validation for GNC software solutions supporting our autonomous drone fleet. Applications include attitude and position control, waypoint and terminal guidance engagements, and navigating contested environments including communication and GPS denied environments.

ABOUT THE JOB

This role will be responsible for guidance and control law development and validation, hardware and software in-the-loop test and analysis, and cutting edge navigation solutions supporting the entire range of drones within TRS.

What You'll Do

    • Aerodynamic Design & Analysis:
      • Aerodynamic design of fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and hybrid VTOL platforms at conceptual, preliminary, and detail design maturities
      • aerodynamic analysis of unmanned air vehicles, using both low and high order methods, including analysis tool development and improvement as needed
      • Conduct detailed analysis to predict and enhance aero performance.
      • Utilize Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools and low-order methods for performance evaluation.
      • Develop and maintain in-house suite of aerodynamic analysis tools.
      • Evaluate impacts of configuration changes on performance of the aircraft.
    • Flight Simulation Development:
      • Design, implement, and maintain high-fidelity flight simulation models.
      • Utilize simulation to evaluate aircraft performance and reliability.
      • Validate simulation accuracy against wind tunnel and flight test results
    • Testing:
      • Work with Flight Test personnel to plan and execute tests to evaluate aircraft performance
      • Plan and coordinate wind tunnel testing to gather aerodynamic data
      • Analyze test data to identify performance trends and areas for improvement.
      • Utilize flight test data to identify system bugs and failures
      • Prepare technical reports and briefings to communicate findings with stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

    • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
    • 4+ years applicable professional experience with airborne platforms
    • 4+ years of experience in aerodynamic design and analysis, flight simulation, and flight testing
    • Hands-on experience with CFD tools, MATLAB/Simulink, or equivalent simulation platforms
    • 4+ years experience in programming and data analysis skills (MATLAB, C++, etc.)
    • Strong understanding of aerodynamics and flight dynamics, stability, and control
    • A passion for defending the Unites States of America and its allies
    • US person status is required as this position requires access to export controlled information

Preferred Qualifications

    • PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
    • Experience with flight control design and analysis for fixed and rotary wing aircraft or missile systems
    • C/C++ Expertise
    • Experience with Simulink Embedded Coder

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.

What Anduril employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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