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Freelance Simulation Software Engineer Jobs in Berkeley, CA

Waymo

Software Engineer, Multiverse

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Using a mix of real-world testing and counterfactual simulation, we stress-test the Waymo Driver ... Apply software engineering best practices in order to improve code health and developer experience ...

Ulysses

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

As a Software Engineer, you will own core aspects of the software platform that powers autonomous underwater robots, focusing on deployment, fleet operations, simulation, and customer tooling.

Waymo

Software Engineer, Multiverse

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Design, implement, and operate scalable simulation data pipelines and/or real world monitoring in ... Qualifications : Required : • 3+ years of full-time software engineering experience, or a ...

Humble Robotics

Simulation Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

Position Overview Open to a range of experience levels We're looking for a software engineer to join our simulation team. You'll build the systems and tools that support closed-loop model testing ...

Humble Robotics

Simulation Engineer

San Francisco, CA · Remote

Position Overview Open to a range of experience levels We're looking for a software engineer to join our simulation team. You'll build the systems and tools that support closed-loop model testing ...

Waymo

Software Engineer, Multiverse

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$170K - $216K/yr

Using a mix of real-world testing and counterfactual simulation, we stress-test the Waymo Driver ... Apply software engineering best practices in order to improve code health and developer experience ...

Waymo

Software Engineer, Multiverse

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$170K - $216K/yr

Using a mix of real-world testing and counterfactual simulation, we stress-test the Waymo Driver ... Apply software engineering best practices in order to improve code health and developer experience ...

ProNexus

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$185K - $235K/yr

... simulation layer. You will work closely with a small, highly technical team and collaborate ... Requirements - 5+ years of software engineering experience - Strong engineering fundamentals ...

Remedy Robotics, Inc

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $300K/yr

We are looking to hire a Software Engineer. What You'll Do: * Develop and improve core robot ... Build and enhance simulation and testing infrastructure to support system validation * Work across ...

ProNexus

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$185K - $235K/yr

... simulation layer. You will work closely with a small, highly technical team and collaborate ... Requirements - 5+ years of software engineering experience - Strong engineering fundamentals ...

Jitx Inc.

Senior Software Engineer

Berkeley, CA · On-site +1

$150K - $250K/yr

You'll be diving straight into our new simulation loop project, a core initiative that tightly ... optimization - Solid software engineering fundamentals - Ability to see the big picture and ...

Pivot Robotics

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Own software engineering best practices: code reviews, testing strategies, CI/CD, and release ... Build simulation, testing, and tooling infrastructure to validate behavior prior to deployment

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsSimulation Software Engineer JobsFreelance Simulation Software Engineer JobsFreelance Simulation Software Engineer Jobs in Berkeley, CA

Freelance Simulation Software Engineer information

See Berkeley, CA salary details

$90.6K

$168.8K

$241.2K

How much do freelance simulation software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance simulation software engineer in Berkeley, CA is $168,784.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,300.00 and $198,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To excel as a Freelance Simulation Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills (such as C++, Python, or MATLAB), a solid understanding of simulation methodologies, and a relevant degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard simulation tools like Simulink, ANSYS, or Arena, and experience with version control systems are often required. Outstanding problem-solving abilities, self-motivation, and effective client communication distinguish top performers in this freelance role. These competencies enable the engineer to deliver accurate, efficient simulations and manage projects independently, ensuring client satisfaction and professional growth.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance simulation software engineers when managing multiple client projects?

Freelance Simulation Software Engineers often juggle several projects at once, each with unique technical requirements and deadlines. Balancing these projects can be challenging, especially when clients have shifting priorities or last-minute requests. Effective communication, clear project scoping, and robust time management are crucial to ensure client expectations are met while maintaining high-quality work. Additionally, freelancers must stay updated with the latest simulation tools and standards, which can require continuous self-directed learning.

What is the difference between Freelance Simulation Software Engineer vs Simulation Software Developer?

AspectFreelance Simulation Software EngineerSimulation Software Developer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in computer science, engineering, or related fields; certifications are a plusSimilar educational background; certifications may enhance prospects
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based work often remotely or freelance platformsEmployed by companies or organizations, working in office or remote teams
Employer & Industry UsageClients across various industries like aerospace, automotive, defense; freelance platformsCompanies developing simulation software or using simulation tools internally
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for freelance opportunities or project-based work in simulation softwareSeeking full-time or contract roles within organizations

The main difference is that a Freelance Simulation Software Engineer works independently on diverse projects, often remotely, while a Simulation Software Developer is typically employed by a company to develop and maintain simulation software as part of a team.

What does a freelance simulation software engineer do?

A Freelance Simulation Software Engineer designs, develops, and tests simulation software for various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare, or manufacturing. They work independently or on contract to model real-world systems, create virtual environments, and run simulations to analyze system behaviors. Responsibilities often include coding, debugging, optimizing algorithms, and collaborating with clients to meet project requirements. Freelancers typically manage their own schedules and work with multiple clients, offering flexibility and a diverse range of project experiences.
What job categories do people searching Freelance Simulation Software Engineer jobs in Berkeley, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Simulation Software Engineer jobs in Berkeley, CA are:
What cities near Berkeley, CA are hiring for Freelance Simulation Software Engineer jobs? Cities near Berkeley, CA with the most Freelance Simulation Software Engineer job openings:
Freelance Simulation Software Engineer jobs near you

Forward Deployed Engineer, Physics & Simulation

Periodic Labs

Menlo Park, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

About Periodic Labs
We're an AI and physical sciences company building state-of-the-art models to accelerate breakthroughs across materials, energy, and beyond. Backed by world-class investors and growing rapidly, we operate at the pace the frontier requires. Our team brings deep expertise, genuine ownership, and an insatiable drive to push the boundaries of what's scientifically possible.
About the Role
Periodic Labs is deploying AI-driven simulation to solve some of the hardest physical process optimization problems in advanced manufacturing. As a Forward Deployed Engineer focused on physics and simulation, you will be the technical engine behind our most demanding customer engagements - spending significant time on-site, embedding directly with customer teams, and owning the end-to-end simulation workflow that makes our platform work in the real world.
You will work alongside our internal modeling and ML teams to build, calibrate, and iterate on physics-based simulations, translate customer process knowledge into computational models, and drive iterative recipe optimization with direct feedback loops to production. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role at the frontier of AI for physical science.
Willingness to travel to and spend extended time on-site in Taiwan is required.
What You'll Do
  • Own the simulation workflow end-to-end for customer engagements - from model setup and calibration to iterative recipe optimization and results interpretation
  • Build, run, and debug physics-based simulations of complex physical processes, including multiphase flow, capillary dynamics, viscosity evolution, and curing behavior
  • Collaborate directly with customer engineering teams on-site to understand process constraints, interpret simulation outputs, and translate findings into actionable process improvements
  • Partner with Periodic's internal ML and RL teams to couple simulation outputs with LLM-driven recipe generation, closing the loop between physics modeling and automated process optimization
  • Develop and extend simulation tooling in Python, including scripting for job submission, parameter sweeps, output parsing, and integration.
  • Iterate rapidly on model fidelity, meshing strategies, and solver configurations to balance accuracy and computational cost for real-world deployment constraints
  • Surface domain insights back to the research and product teams, directly shaping the next generation of our simulation and AI platform
  • Contribute to documentation, runbooks, and process guides that help the team scale customer engagements over time
You Will Thrive in This Role If You Have
  • Strong foundations in numerical simulation of physical systems - whether fluid dynamics, heat transfer, structural mechanics, electromagnetics or related domains - gained through graduate research, industry, or both
  • Hands-on experience building or running simulations that solve partial differential equations, including comfort with mesh generation, solver tuning, and debugging numerical instabilities
  • Proficiency in Python for scripting, automation, and scientific computing (NumPy, SciPy, or equivalent)
  • A process engineering or physics mindset: you understand that simulations are tools for answering real process questions, and you care about getting physically meaningful results, not just running jobs
  • Strong communication skills and genuine comfort working directly with customer engineering teams - translating between computational models and manufacturing realities
  • Willingness to spend extended periods on-site with customers, including in Taiwan
  • A self-starter orientation: you can own a technical problem from problem definition through to a deployed result, with limited hand-holding
Especially Strong Candidates May Also Have
  • Background in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), including experience with tools such as OpenFOAM, ANSYS Fluent, Star-CCM+, or custom solvers
  • Graduate-level research experience building simulation software - from scratch or on top of existing frameworks - in domains such as mechanical or chemical engineering, weather modeling, astrophysics, materials processing, or similar
  • Experience in semiconductor or advanced packaging processes (underfill, flip-chip, wafer bonding, or related)
  • Familiarity with physics-informed ML, surrogate modeling, or neural operators applied to simulation acceleration
  • Experience integrating simulation tools into larger software platforms or automated optimization pipelines
  • Proficiency in Mandarin, which would be a meaningful advantage for on-site collaboration in Taiwan
  • Some background in a lab or experimental environment, with an appreciation for how simulations relate to physical process data
Mechanics
Minimum education: bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and training or experience
Location: Our lab is located in Menlo Park and we prefer folks to be located in Menlo Park or San Francisco but can be flexible based on role
Compensation: The annual compensation range for this role - $200,000-$275,000
Visa sponsorship: Yes, we sponsor visas and will do everything we can to assist in this process with our legal support.
We're building a team of the world's best - the scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers who don't just follow the frontier, they define it. If you're driven to bring AI to life in the physical world and make discoveries that have never been made before, you belong here.

Apply