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Flight Simulator Engineer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

... flight-critical quality standards. Qualifications Required * 4-year degree in an Engineering ... simulation & 3D modeling a plus), also able to read blueprints and GD&T. * Experience with SPC ...

FPGA Engineer

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$119K - $153K/yr

... flight operations across commercial and military aviation. Our avionics portfolio includes ... with simulation tools (Active HDL/QuestaSim) · Must be knowledgeable in VHDL and/or Verilog RTL ...

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Showing results 1-20

Flight Simulator Engineer information

See Michigan salary details

$40.5K

$103.3K

$227.1K

How much do flight simulator engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for flight simulator engineer in Michigan is $103,295.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,800.00 and $100,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a typical day look like for a Flight Simulator Engineer?

A typical day for a Flight Simulator Engineer involves developing, testing, and maintaining advanced simulation software and hardware to ensure realistic and reliable flight training experiences. You’ll often collaborate with other engineers, pilots, and instructors to address technical issues, implement software updates, and fine-tune system performance. Routine tasks may include troubleshooting simulator malfunctions, integrating new aircraft models, and documenting system changes for compliance and future reference. The work environment is dynamic and multidisciplinary, offering the chance to use both technical expertise and teamwork to support critical training operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Flight Simulator Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Flight Simulator Engineer, you need a strong background in computer engineering, software development, systems integration, and a relevant degree in engineering or computer science. Familiarity with simulation platforms (such as X-Plane, FlightGear, or CAE platforms), programming languages (like C++ or Python), and knowledge of avionics systems are highly valuable, along with certifications such as CompTIA or manufacturer-specific quals. Strong troubleshooting abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are critical soft skills for collaborating with pilots, engineers, and training staff. These skills and qualities are essential for ensuring simulators accurately replicate flight conditions, support pilot training, and meet strict safety and regulatory standards.

What is a Flight Simulator Engineer job?

A Flight Simulator Engineer is responsible for developing, maintaining, and troubleshooting flight simulation systems used for pilot training and aircraft testing. They work with hardware and software to ensure the simulator accurately replicates real-world flight conditions. Their role involves programming, integrating avionics systems, and performing regular maintenance to ensure reliability. These engineers collaborate with pilots, instructors, and aeronautical engineers to enhance training effectiveness.

What are popular job titles related to Flight Simulator Engineer jobs in Michigan? For Flight Simulator Engineer jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Flight Simulator Engineer jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Flight Simulator Engineer jobs in Michigan are:
Infographic showing various Flight Simulator Engineer job openings in Michigan as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $103,295 per year, or $49.7 per hour.
Chief Engineer, AI Product Creation

Chief Engineer, AI Product Creation

Ford Motor Company

Dearborn, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Job description


We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves, and build a better world - together. At Ford, we're all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?
Product Development at Ford is undergoing an exciting evolution as we integrate advanced digital technologies, machine learning, and smart automation into our global processes. Our mission is to transition toward a highly integrated, digital-first engineering ecosystem that balances our signature predictability and repeatability with modern computational speed and agility.
In this position...
The Chief Engineer, AI Product Creation will lead the strategic integration of next-generation digital tools, advanced analytics, and intelligent systems across Ford's Global Product Development System (GPDS) to optimize engineering workflows, accelerate development cycles, and drive product excellence.
In this highly strategic and transformational role, you will oversee the architectural integration of AI across the entire Ford product creation lifecycle. As the lead for AI Product Creation, you will recommend investments, and design and execute the systems that allow us to optimize our engineering workflows, leverage historical data assets, and enhance virtual validation. You will lead a global, cross-functional effort to modernize our systems, working across active and future vehicle programs to deploy next-generation tools. This role requires a rare combination of deep product development logic, a strong grasp of modern AI technologies, and the collaborative leadership necessary to drive cultural and technological change in a fast-paced, high-stakes and dynamic environment.
Responsibilities
What you'll do...
NOW: Tactical Efficiency & Optimization
  • Identify & Map Bottlenecks: Assess the value stream mapping of existing GPDS processes to pinpoint high-waste physical bottlenecks suitable for immediate AI-enabled optimization.

  • Deploy Immediate-Value AI Tools: Champion and scale the rollout of tactical AI accelerators, including LLM-based coding assistants for software integration and automated program tracking tools (a virtual program manager).

  • Execute Rolling Pilots: Collaborate with active vehicle program teams to implement rolling pilots of generative engineering and advanced simulation tools, delivering immediate efficiency gains to in-flight programs.

NEAR: System Integration & Concurrent Engineering
  • Architect a data lake: Drive the definition and implementation of a data system to connect cross-functional work systems to enable real-time, closed-loop analysis.

  • Scale Predictive Simulations and Digital Twins: Expand the use of advanced predictive simulation models aimed at reducing physical test iterations and accelerate validation loops across key vehicle attributes and development workstreams

  • De-Risk Manufacturing Tooling: Leverage advanced predictive analytics to optimize long-lead manufacturing tooling designs, proactively identifying and correcting physical manufacturing constraints early in the design cycle.

FAR: Deliver the Aspirational Target
  • Establish a Digital-First Development Cycle: Lead the ultimate transition to a highly compressed, digital-first development cycle that significantly reduces time-to-market while improving quality.

  • Foster a Digitally Literate Engineering Culture: Drive a culture of digital literacy and advanced tool adoption across the global engineering community, establishing next-generation benchmarks for the industry that every engineer at Ford is empowered by intelligent, generative design tools.

Qualifications
You'll have...
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related quantitative technical field.

  • 10-15 years of experience in complex product development, systems engineering, or technical program management (ideally within automotive, aerospace, robotics, or high-tech hardware/software industries).

  • Proven experience leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives, specifically deploying AI, machine learning, or high-fidelity simulation technologies within a physical engineering environment.
  • Deep understanding of product development lifecycles, milestone-driven development systems, and complex hardware-software integration.

Even better, you may have...
  • Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Engineering, or a Master's in Business Administration (MBA).

  • Hands-on experience with modern AI frameworks, physics-informed neural networks (PINNs), or industrial Digital Twin platforms (e.g., NVIDIA Omniverse, Siemens Tecnomatix, or equivalent).

  • Demonstrated experience bridging the gap between software engineers/data scientists and traditional mechanical/manufacturing engineers.

  • Familiarity with generative design software, automated path planning, or predictive supply chain risk orchestration.

  • Exceptional executive presence with strong presentation, verbal, and written communication skills to influence global, cross-functional stakeholders.

  • Agility and the proven ability to guide teams through highly ambiguous, fast-paced transformational journeys under tight deadlines.

What you'll receive in return...
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
This position is a leadership level 4.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here:
2026 LL4 Benefits Summary
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status.
#LI-Hybrid #LI-WC2

Ford logo

About Ford

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career and help us define tomorrow's transportation.

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Doral, FL, US

Year founded

1982