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Simulation Engineer Jobs in Sunnyvale, CA (NOW HIRING)

OpenAI

Lead Thermal Simulation Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$342K - $445K/yr

About the Role We are seeking a lead thermal simulation engineer to help accelerate the design and development of next-generation robotic systems through modeling, simulation, and analysis. You will ...

Apple

Electrical Simulation CAE Engineer

San Jose, CA

$120K - $249K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

We are the Electrical Simulation CAE Team in Hardware Engineering, and our primary objective is to develop and implement workflows and methodologies that ensure electrical and electromagnetic ...

Everpure

Firmware Simulation Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

WHAT YOU'LL DO Everpure is seeking a full-time Embedded Firmware Simulation Engineer to join our device firmware team. You will be responsible for developing high-fidelity virtual platforms that ...

Apple

Material Modeling and Simulation Engineer

San Jose, CA

$120K - $249K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

Apple's Hardware Engineering organization is home to some of the most advanced simulation and signal integrity work in the industry, developing the foundational methodologies that connect virtual ...

Wing

Hardware-in-the-loop Simulation Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$190K - $202K/yr

Wing is looking for a Hardware-in-the-loop Simulation Engineer to join our Simulation team. This role is hybrid based in Palo Alto, CA. Simulation is a core technology for Wing. We provide essential ...

Wing

Hardware-in-the-loop Simulation Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$190K - $202K/yr

Wing is looking for a Hardware-in-the-loop Simulation Engineer to join our Simulation team. This role is hybrid based in Palo Alto, CA. Simulation is a core technology for Wing. We provide essential ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsSimulation Engineer JobsSimulation Engineer Jobs in Sunnyvale, CA

Simulation Engineer information

See Sunnyvale, CA salary details

$45.8K

$144.8K

$223.6K

How much do simulation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for simulation engineer in Sunnyvale, CA is $144,828.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,000.00 and $171,900.00 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 and ANSYS for design and testing. The role often requires strong technical skills, knowledge of modeling and analysis, and relevant certifications, with job growth driven by technological advancements and automation efforts.
More about Simulation Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Simulation Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA?

The most popular types of Simulation Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Simulation Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA?

For Simulation Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Simulation Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA are:

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Cities near Sunnyvale, CA with the most Simulation Engineer job openings:

Simulation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Simulation Engineer job openings in Sunnyvale, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Internship, 71% Full Time, 18% Contract, and 7% Summer. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,828 per year, or $69.6 per hour.

Senior Simulation Engineer - Core Simulation Platform

Apptronik

Sunnyvale, CA

$165K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 hours ago

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

At the core of every robot policy we ship is a simulation platform that has to be fast enough for RL training, accurate enough for controls validation, and stable enough to be the team's daily driver. As Staff Simulation Engineer for Core Simulation Platform, you'll contribute to the architecture and development of that platform alongside senior team members, applying strong C++ and Python skills, robotics fundamentals, and modern simulator experience to keep the platform robust, performant, and parallel.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Contribute to the architecture and development of the core simulation platform - high-performance digital twins that serve as the foundation for policy training, controls validation, and CI/CD integration testing.
  • Help build and scale cloud-native simulation pipelines capable of generating millions of experience hours per day, parallelizing physics and rendering for rapid policy iteration.
  • Improve sim-to-real transfer through advanced contact models and actuator dynamics that help policies trained in simulation transfer to physical humanoid hardware.
  • Develop sensor-realistic environments (camera, LiDAR, depth) that challenge the perception stack with dynamic and diverse worlds.
  • Ship platform improvements that visibly reduce iteration time for RL, controls, and perception teams.
  • Work with Controls, AI Research, and Perception teams to support their evolving simulation needs as the platform grows.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

  • Excellent C++ and/or Python programming skills
  • Familiar with software development best practices: CI/CD, automated testing, and code quality standards
  • Understanding of robotics concepts: kinematics, dynamics, controls, system identification
  • Experience with modern robotic simulators (Isaac Lab, MuJoCo, or equivalent)
  • Understanding of Reinforcement Learning with research or production experience
  • Experience with large-scale training workloads - deploying parallel simulations on cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) with distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Ray, Kubernetes)

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

  • Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
  • 5+ years of experience in robotic simulation, software engineering, or related fields

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
  • Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
  • Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
  • Hearing and speech to communicate

The annual salary range is $165,000 - $200,000.

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