1

Flight Simulator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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 ...

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

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

Flight Dynamicist

Cardiff By The Sea, CA · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development ... Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability and control assessments, separation dynamics ...

Flight Dynamicist

La Jolla, CA · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development ... Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability and control assessments, separation dynamics ...

Flight Dynamicist

Rancho Santa Fe, CA · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development ... Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability and control assessments, separation dynamics ...

Flight Dynamicist

Chula Vista, CA · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development ... Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability and control assessments, separation dynamics ...

Flight Dynamicist

El Cajon, CA · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development ... Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability and control assessments, separation dynamics ...

Flight Dynamicist

San Diego, CA · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development ... Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability and control assessments, separation dynamics ...

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

The candidate will perform detailed analysis of flexible and rigid body simulations, separation ... Develop and analyze 3DOF and 6DOF flight dynamics models to evaluate vehicle performance, stability ...

Flight Dynamicist

National City, CA · On-site

$87K - $157K/yr

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development ... Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability and control assessments, separation dynamics ...

Flight Dynamicist

Cardiff By The Sea, CA · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development, requirements analysis, mission planning, system design, verification, and test activities. * Conduct ...

Flight Dynamicist

Chula Vista, CA · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development, requirements analysis, mission planning, system design, verification, and test activities. * Conduct ...

Flight Dynamicist

La Jolla, CA · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development, requirements analysis, mission planning, system design, verification, and test activities. * Conduct ...

Showing results 21-40

Flight Simulator information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$120.1K

$190.5K

How much do flight simulator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for flight simulator in California is $120,058.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,300.00 and $172,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the flight simulator position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Flight Simulator Technician role, you need strong technical aptitude in electronics, computer systems, and avionics, supported by an associate degree or relevant technical certifications. Familiarity with flight simulation hardware, software platforms like CAE or FlightSafety, and diagnostic tools is essential. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication abilities enable technicians to excel in troubleshooting and collaborative environments. These skills ensure safe, reliable, and high-fidelity operation of flight simulators critical for pilot training and aviation safety.

What is a flight simulator?

A Flight Simulator job involves operating, maintaining, or instructing with flight simulation systems used for pilot training and aircraft testing. Professionals in this role may develop simulation scenarios, ensure hardware and software functionality, and provide feedback to pilots and trainees. These jobs exist in aviation training centers, military organizations, and aerospace companies. The role requires technical expertise, attention to detail, and a strong understanding of aviation principles.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a flight simulator technician?

Flight Simulator Technicians are responsible for performing routine maintenance, repairs, and system updates on flight simulation equipment to ensure optimal performance and safety standards. They conduct pre-use and post-use checks, troubleshoot technical issues, run diagnostics, and make necessary hardware or software adjustments. Collaboration with flight instructors, pilots, and engineering teams is common to support training schedules and resolve user-reported problems efficiently. The role often involves detailed record-keeping and occasional upgrades as new simulation technology is introduced, ensuring the simulators meet industry and regulatory requirements.

What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Simulator jobs in California?

The most popular types of Flight Simulator jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Flight Simulator jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Flight Simulator jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Flight Simulator jobs?

Cities in California with the most Flight Simulator job openings:

Infographic showing various Flight Simulator 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 $120,058 per year, or $57.7 per hour.

Flight Sciences Engineer

Elroy Air

Byron, CA • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

At Elroy Air, we build autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) cargo drones to change the way the world moves goods. Transporting cargo by air is faster and more direct than by land or sea, but it has been prohibitively expensive for medium-size loads. We've set out to expand middle-mile logistics possibilities across multiple sectors, with our sights on a $420Bn global total addressable market for cargo logistics across defense, commercial and rapid response.
We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe that the defense, commercial, and rapid response communities need faster, better logistics solutions. We are seeing increasing demand as customers and prospects respond enthusiastically to the systems we've built. As we mature and deploy our offerings, we are looking for people like you: motivated collaborators, enthusiastic about our mission and ready to roll up their sleeves and make a big impact to improve how logistics works around the world. You will play an important role in establishing the Elroy Air Chaparral as the industry standard in this massive market.
We believe diverse perspectives at all levels of the organization are critical to innovation and employee development. This includes but is not limited to gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, religion, age, ability, parenthood status, veteran status, educational background, citizenship status, or any combination of these characteristics.

As a Flight Sciences Engineer at Elroy Air, you will own performance analysis, flight dynamics, and configuration trades across our hybrid-electric lift+cruise VTOL program. You will be the analytical backbone of the vehicle team - reasoning across hover, transition, and cruise regimes, and working directly with propulsion, structures, and controls engineers to drive decisions from early concept through certification.

What you'll own:
  • Own vehicle performance modeling across hover, transition, and cruise: mission analysis, hybrid-electric energy management, climb optimization, and range/endurance trades
  • Build and maintain 6-DOF flight dynamics models for a lift+cruise configuration: aero database construction through the transition corridor, rotor-wing interaction modeling, stability derivatives, and trim analysis in hover, transition, and cruise
  • Contribute to vehicle design trades: feed flight sciences insight into OML shaping, drag reduction, control surface sizing, and flight controls architecture to close performance and handling qualities requirements
  • Derive external flight loads across the operational envelope and collaborate with the structures team to define limit and ultimate load cases, support fatigue analysis, and feed aeroelastic models
  • Support flight test planning, instrumentation requirements, and post-flight data reduction and analysis; correlate measured performance against analytical predictions
  • Build and improve simulation environments used for envelope expansion, handling qualities assessment, and controls development
  • Partner with propulsion and power teams to integrate hybrid-electric powertrain models into mission analysis; define power-required envelopes and binding constraints across the flight profile
  • Contribute to certification planning by authoring compliance analyses, performance substantiation reports, and supporting V&V documentation
Our Ideal Candidate
  • B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field
  • 5+ years of meaningful hands-on experience in flight sciences, vehicle performance, or flight dynamics
  • Proficiency in vehicle performance modeling: energy-based methods, point-mass and full 6-DOF simulation, power-required/available analysis
  • Experience building or working with aerodynamic databases and stability derivative sets for flight simulation or loads analysis
  • Familiarity with flight test methods: test card development, FTI requirements, data reduction, and prediction-to-flight correlation
  • Strong programming skills in Python and/or MATLAB for analysis, post-processing, and tool development
  • Solid understanding of fixed-wing, rotary-wing, or hybrid lift+cruise vehicle aeromechanics
  • Working proficiency with aerodynamic analysis tools across fidelity levels - from low-order methods (panel codes, blade element, XFOIL) through mid-fidelity (RANS CFD): sufficient to set up runs, interpret results, and interface with dedicated CFD engineers
  • Clear technical communication skills: able to distill complex analysis into concise summaries for engineering and program leadership
Bonus Points For:
  • Direct experience with eVTOL, tiltrotor, or lift+cruise configurations - including transition corridor analysis, transition schedule definition, and rotor-wing aerodynamic interaction
  • Background in hybrid-electric propulsion performance modeling: energy management strategy, battery sizing trades, and BSFC/TSFC integration into mission analysis
  • Experience designing internal flows, including ducting, intakes, and cooling flows
  • Rotor and/or propeller design experience
  • Handling qualities assessment experience using ADS-33 or FAA/EASA equivalents
  • Exposure to flight simulation environments: JSBSim, Simulink/FlightGear, or equivalent
  • Experience with certification under FAA Part 23, Part 27, or EASA SC-VTOL frameworks
  • Background in aeroelastics or structural loads as they relate to flight envelope definition
What We Offer:
  • Competitive salary
  • Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced aerospace company
  • Comprehensive medical benefits
  • 401(k) with company contribution + Roth IRA
  • Free daily lunch provided onsite
  • Flexible time-off policy
  • 3 months of paid parental leave
  • Employee assistance program with 24/7 support
  • High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy
  • Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement
  • You'll work with a motivated, kind, and highly skilled team
  • You'll help shape and define our company culture and values
  • You'll help build and scale a new category of aerospace / logistics technology
$203,000 - $280,000 a year

We encourage you to apply even if you aren't an exact match for our open role as many of our team members come from nontraditional backgrounds.
Elroy Air is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.
We are committed to an inclusive, harassment-free workplace and we gladly provide reasonable accommodations to support our team.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder). All employees will be screened through E-Verify.

Elroy Air does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters that we do not have a written agreement with and all employment activities are managed through our internal team. We reserve the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes received without being responsible for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
apply for this job