1

Simulation Engineer Jobs in Cambridge, MA (NOW HIRING)

Showing results 41-60

Simulation Engineer information

See Cambridge, MA salary details

$43K

$135.9K

$209.9K

How much do simulation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for simulation engineer in Cambridge, MA is $135,950.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,400.00 and $161,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a simulation engineer?

A simulation engineer works on complex engineering projects to create simulations for testing the performance of proposed solutions. In this career, your job duties include developing simulation approaches for testing the project, monitoring the simulation in the test environment, and analyzing the results of the test. The qualifications needed for a career as a simulation engineer include a bachelor's degree in engineering. However, some employers prefer a master's degree. You also need strong analytical skills and experience working with experimental projects.

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

To thrive as a Simulation Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, mathematics, and computer science, typically supported by a relevant degree. Proficiency in simulation software such as MATLAB, Simulink, ANSYS, or similar tools, along with knowledge of programming languages like Python or C++, is essential. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you interpret data and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial for accurately modeling complex systems, optimizing designs, and ensuring project success.

How does a simulation engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

Simulation Engineers frequently work alongside design, testing, and manufacturing teams to ensure that virtual models accurately reflect real-world scenarios. They collaborate closely during the early stages to interpret project requirements and share simulation results to guide design decisions. Regular meetings and iterative feedback loops are common, helping to integrate simulation insights throughout the product development lifecycle. This collaborative environment not only enhances the quality of final products but also provides Simulation Engineers with exposure to diverse technical perspectives.

What is the difference between Simulation Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectSimulation EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related fields; proficiency in simulation softwareBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering; CAD software skills
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, simulation centers, R&D departmentsDesign offices, manufacturing facilities, prototyping labs
Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, electronics, manufacturingAutomotive, consumer products, machinery, aerospace
Common Search/ComparisonSimulation Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer

The main difference between a Simulation Engineer and a Mechanical Design Engineer lies in their focus areas. Simulation Engineers specialize in creating and analyzing virtual models to predict product performance, while Mechanical Design Engineers focus on designing and developing physical components and systems. Both roles often collaborate but serve distinct functions within engineering projects.

Are simulation engineers in demand?

Simulation engineers are in demand across industries such as aerospace, automotive, and defense, as companies increasingly rely on simulation tools like MATLAB, Simulink, and ANSYS for product development and testing. The role requires strong technical skills, knowledge of modeling and analysis, and often a background in engineering or computer science. Job growth is driven by technological advancements and the need for cost-effective, efficient testing methods.

What job categories do people searching Simulation Engineer jobs in Cambridge, MA look for?

The top searched job categories for Simulation Engineer jobs in Cambridge, MA are:

Infographic showing various Simulation Engineer job openings in Cambridge, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,950 per year, or $65.4 per hour.

Staff Engineer, Modeling & Simulation (R4869)

Shield AI

Boston, MA • On-site

$150K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI's technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description:
The Aircraft Simulation team turns frontier autonomy into mission-ready aircraft. We own the commit-to-flight pipeline-deterministic aircraft and mission simulation, HITL/SITL integration, CI/CD, and tooling for automated flight qualification testing. Our goal is simple: make AI fly-safely, reliably, and fast.
As a Staff Modeling & Simulation Engineer, you will be dedicated to Shield AI's next-generation aircraft program, contributing to our emergent modeling & simulation tooling. You'll design, build, and scale novel aircraft subsystem models, develop infrastructure that enables robust automated testing for our next generation XBAT product line, and conduct system performance analysis.
What you'll do:
  • Develop models and infrastructure for the integrated simulation pipeline in C++.
  • Design deterministic, high-performance simulation tools capable of faster-than-real-time execution for development, testing, and release.
  • Implement test scenarios and write unit, system, and regression tests.
  • Collaborate across autonomy, embedded, GNC, and test engineering to ensure the simulation mirrors real aircraft behavior and mission scenarios.
  • Contribute to platform-agnostic simulation tooling to accelerate current and future aircraft design and development efforts.
  • Perform verification and validation (V&V) analysis activities on modeling tools.
  • Conduct system performance analysis and generate reports and visualizations.
  • Utilize best practices in C++, simulation architecture, and performance engineering.

Required qualifications:
  • BS or MS in Computer Science, Aerospace, Robotics, or related field.
  • 7+ years of experience in simulation software development, with emphasis on modern C++ (C++17 or later) and performance optimization.
  • Strong understanding of rigid-body dynamics, kinematics, aerodynamics, and sensor mechanics.
  • Proven experience developing or integrating simulation systems for robotics, aerospace, and/or autonomous systems.
  • Ability to debug complex build and runtime environments (CMake, package management, logging, and profiling tools).
  • Experience with software testing tools (GTest, etc.)
  • Experience with simulation V&V.
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills across software, hardware, and systems disciplines.
  • Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

Preferred qualifications:
  • Grasp of real-time and deterministic software design, including multi-threading, synchronization, and memory management.
  • Experience with DevOps-integrated simulation workflows, including CI/CD and automated hardware testing environments.
  • Working knowledge of Python for data analysis, test automation, or simulation orchestration.
  • Familiarity with aircraft and flight physics modeling.

$150,000 - $220,000 a year
#LI-SM1
#LD
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
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.