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Modeling And Simulation Engineer Jobs in California

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Modeling And Simulation Engineer information

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$38.5K

$121.8K

$188K

How much do modeling and simulation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for modeling and 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 are Modeling and Simulation Engineers?

Modeling and Simulation Engineers are professionals who use mathematical models and computer simulations to analyze complex systems and predict their behavior. They work in various industries, including aerospace, defense, healthcare, and manufacturing, to improve product design, optimize processes, and support decision-making. Their work often involves creating virtual prototypes, running simulations to test different scenarios, and interpreting results to provide insights for engineering projects. These engineers typically have strong backgrounds in mathematics, physics, and computer science.

What are some common challenges a Modeling and Simulation Engineer faces when integrating new models into existing systems?

A common challenge for Modeling and Simulation Engineers is ensuring that new models are compatible with existing simulation frameworks and data sources. This often involves resolving discrepancies in data formats, model fidelity, and simulation timing, as well as validating that the integrated system produces accurate and reliable results. Collaboration with software developers, data analysts, and subject matter experts is essential to troubleshoot integration issues and maintain system performance. Effective communication and thorough documentation are key to overcoming these integration hurdles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Modeling and Simulation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Modeling and Simulation Engineer, you need a strong background in mathematics, physics, computer science, and engineering principles, typically supported by a relevant degree. Proficiency with simulation software (such as MATLAB, Simulink, or ANSYS), programming languages (like Python or C++), and sometimes certifications in modeling tools are highly valued. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are essential soft skills for translating complex systems into accurate models and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial for ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and usability of simulations that inform critical engineering decisions.

What is the difference between Modeling And Simulation Engineer vs Systems Engineer?

AspectModeling And Simulation EngineerSystems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields; certifications like INCOSEBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related fields; certifications like INCOSE
Work EnvironmentDesigning and developing simulation models, testing scenarios in labs or software environmentsIntegrating system components, coordinating across engineering teams, often in project offices
Industry UsageDefense, aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing sectorsDefense, aerospace, IT, and complex system development industries

While both roles require engineering backgrounds and similar certifications, Modeling And Simulation Engineers focus on creating and testing simulation models, whereas Systems Engineers oversee the integration and functionality of entire systems. Both collaborate closely but serve different specialized functions within engineering projects.

What are popular job titles related to Modeling And Simulation Engineer jobs in California? For Modeling And Simulation Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Modeling And Simulation Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Modeling And Simulation Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Modeling And Simulation Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Modeling And Simulation Engineer job openings:
Modeling And Simulation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Modeling And Simulation Engineer job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 15% Locum Tenens, 79% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,783 per year, or $58.5 per hour.

Modeling & Simulation Engineer

Singularity Defense Corp.

Gardena, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

About the Company:
We are a stealth-mode Aerospace & Defense startup headquartered in Gardena, CA. Our founding team hails from SpaceX, Anduril, and Lockheed Martin, and we are backed by Joint Staff-level military leadership and several Silicon Valley firms. With a world-class business development & leadership team already in place, we are well positioned to capitalize on already overwhelming demand.
Job Overview:
As a GNC Engineer focused on Simulations, you will lead the development of high-fidelity physics-based simulations for end-to-end missile flight and guidance validation. These simulations serve as a digital proving ground for our flight software, autonomy stack, and control systems-enabling us to iterate rapidly and validate in silico what would otherwise require expensive, slow, or impossible real-world testing.
You'll own simulation architecture, real-time physics integration, and testbed development. If you're comfortable writing performant simulation code in Rust and Python, and you're looking to do impactful work on a system that must work the first time, this is your chance.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Design high-performance 6-DOF flight and physics simulations
  • Build simulation components that replicate real-world dynamics and sensor behavior
  • Integrate guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) logic into full-stack simulations
  • Develop Monte Carlo, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL), and closed-loop test infrastructure
  • Collaborate closely with flight software, autonomy, and hardware teams to ensure simulation fidelity matches real-world constraints
  • Create tooling to support scenario authoring, data visualization, and performance analysis
  • Own simulation pipeline performance and determinism across a wide range of conditions

Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related technical field
  • 5+ years of experience building simulations or numerical modeling frameworks
  • Proficient in Rust and Python for performance-critical and test-driven development
  • Understanding of rigid body dynamics, kinematics, numerical integration, and physics
  • Experience building tools for flight dynamics, aerospace simulation, or autonomous systems

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with Monte Carlo testing, sensor emulation, and closed-loop control validation
  • Familiarity with real-time systems, latency-sensitive architectures, or distributed simulation
  • Experience deploying or validating autonomous systems (missiles, drones, satellites, or vehicles)
  • Familiarity with Rust game engines or physics libraries (e.g., Rapier, Bevy)
  • Exposure to 3D rendering for simulation visualization (e.g., WebGL, OpenGL, Three.js)
  • Contributions to aerospace open source or simulation frameworks (e.g., JSBSim, Gazebo)

Itar Requirements
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C.
  • 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.
  • 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

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