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Simulation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

DensityAI

Simulation Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

DensityAI is a company focused on AI accelerators, and they are seeking a Simulation Engineer to build and own the software simulation stack for their AI accelerator. The role involves designing and ...

DensityAI

Simulation Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

Your simulators are how the rest of the company brings up software early, explores the design space, and predicts behavior; when they're fast and accurate, the whole program moves faster. What you'll ...

DensityAI

Simulation Engineer

Mountain View, CA

$200K - $360K/yr

Your simulators are how the rest of the company brings up software early, explores the design space, and predicts behavior; when they're fast and accurate, the whole program moves faster. What you'll ...

DensityAI

Simulation Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$200K - $360K/yr

Your simulators are how the rest of the company brings up software early, explores the design space, and predicts behavior; when they're fast and accurate, the whole program moves faster. What you'll ...

Hammerhead AI

Simulation Engineer

Redwood City, CA · On-site

These simulations are the critical training ground for our Orchestrated RL Control Agents (ORCA). Reporting to the CTO, you will model the complex interplay of power, thermal dynamics, and ...

Skild AI

Simulation Engineer

San Mateo, CA

Position Overview We are seeking talented simulation engineers to create expansive simulated worlds to scale up robotic experience. You will have a dual focus: designing high-level virtual ...

HammerheadAI

Simulation Engineer

Redwood City, CA · On-site

These simulations are the critical training ground for our Orchestrated RL Control Agents (ORCA). Reporting to the CTO, you will model the complex interplay of power, thermal dynamics, and ...

Freeform

Simulation Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

SIMULATION ENGINEER Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware, and physics to produce industrial-scale parts at the speed of human ideation. By treating ...

Freeform

Simulation Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

SIMULATION ENGINEER Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware, and physics to produce industrial-scale parts at the speed of human ideation. By treating ...

Apex

Simulation Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$145K - $185K/yr

About the Role As a Simulation Engineer, you will be responsible for developing closed-loop spacecraft test platforms - such as six degrees of freedom simulation platform (6DOF), software-in-the-loop ...

Freeform

Simulation Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

SIMULATION ENGINEER Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware, and physics to produce industrial-scale parts at the speed of human ideation. By treating ...

Astrolab

Lead Simulation Engineer

Hawthorne, CA

$142K - $235K/yr

The lead simulation engineer will be responsible for directing the technical work of the simulation team, including development of the simulation infrastructure, vehicle models, and integration of ...

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All JobsSimulation JobsSimulation Jobs in California

Simulation information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$66.7K

$119.9K

How much do simulation jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for simulation in California is $66,716.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,400.00 and $78,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Simulation vs CAD Designer?

AspectSimulationCAD Designer
Required CredentialsEngineering degrees, certifications in simulation softwareEngineering or design degrees, CAD software certifications
Work EnvironmentEngineering firms, manufacturing, aerospaceDesign studios, manufacturing, product development
Industry UsageTesting and analyzing product performanceCreating detailed product models and drawings

Simulation specialists focus on testing and analyzing how products perform under various conditions using simulation software. CAD Designers create detailed 3D models and drawings for manufacturing and design purposes. While both roles require engineering knowledge and software skills, Simulation emphasizes analysis and testing, whereas CAD Design centers on creating precise models for production.

What is a simulation job?

A simulation job involves creating, analyzing, or operating computer-based models that replicate real-world systems or processes. These roles often require skills in programming, data analysis, and understanding of the specific industry, such as engineering, healthcare, or aerospace. Simulation professionals use specialized software to test scenarios, improve designs, or train personnel.

What careers use simulation?

Simulation is used in various careers such as aerospace engineering, healthcare, military training, automotive design, and software development. Professionals in these fields use simulation tools and software to model real-world systems, test scenarios, and improve processes, often requiring skills in programming, modeling, and analysis.

What are some common challenges faced by simulation professionals when working on complex projects?

Simulation professionals often encounter challenges such as integrating diverse data sources, ensuring model accuracy, and effectively communicating technical results to non-technical stakeholders. Working on complex projects usually involves collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, managing tight deadlines, and adapting models as project requirements evolve. Developing strong problem-solving skills and maintaining clear communication with team members and clients are essential for overcoming these challenges and delivering successful simulation outcomes.

What is a simulation specialist?

A simulation specialist is a professional who designs, develops, and manages simulated environments for training, research, or analysis purposes. They often work in industries such as healthcare, aviation, engineering, or the military to create realistic scenarios that help people practice skills or test systems without real-world risks. Simulation specialists use advanced technology and software to create these interactive models, ensuring they accurately replicate real-life situations.

What is the average salary for a simulation engineer?

The average salary for a simulation engineer typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Professionals with advanced skills in modeling software and programming languages like MATLAB or C++ tend to earn higher salaries. Certifications and working in specialized sectors such as aerospace or automotive can also influence compensation.

What jobs make $1,000,000 a year?

High-level executive roles such as CEOs, CFOs, and other C-suite positions in large corporations can earn over $1 million annually, often including bonuses and stock options. Successful entrepreneurs, hedge fund managers, and top-tier investment bankers may also reach this income level, typically requiring extensive experience, advanced skills, and significant responsibility.

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

To thrive as a Simulation Specialist, you typically need a background in engineering, computer science, or a related field, along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Expertise in simulation software such as MATLAB, Simulink, or ANSYS, and familiarity with programming languages like Python or C++, are commonly required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and teamwork are essential soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and conveying complex results. These skills and qualifications are crucial for building accurate models, troubleshooting issues, and delivering reliable simulations that inform decision-making.
What are the most commonly searched types of Simulation jobs in California? The most popular types of Simulation jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Simulation jobs? Cities in California with the most Simulation job openings:
Simulation jobs near you

Simulation Engineer

DensityAI

Mountain View, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
DensityAI is a company focused on AI accelerators, and they are seeking a Simulation Engineer to build and own the software simulation stack for their AI accelerator. The role involves designing and maintaining software simulators, ensuring performance and accuracy, and supporting the software teams in pre-silicon development.
Responsibilities:
• Design, build, and maintain the software simulators and models of our AI accelerator — functional / ISA simulators, cycle-approximate performance models, and the C++/Python infrastructure around them
• Build the pre-silicon development surface for the software teams: golden reference models, co-simulation, trace generation, and validation harnesses the compiler and runtime develop against daily
• Keep the simulators fast enough to be the daily target — multithreading, JIT / binary translation, and distributed runs so real workloads finish in reasonable time
• Correlate models against RTL, emulation, and first silicon as they arrive, and drive the deltas back into the model to keep it trustworthy
• Use and develop AI-assisted tool flows to accelerate model development and validation
Qualifications:
Required:
• Exceptional modern C++ for performance-critical systems software
• strong Python for tooling and infrastructure
• 5+ years building simulators, emulators, virtual platforms, ISS, or large-scale systems/infrastructure software
• Solid computer-architecture fundamentals — pipelines, memory hierarchy, ISAs, and accelerator/GPU-class datapaths
• Real simulation/modeling judgment: functional vs. cycle-approximate trade-offs, validating against a reference, and optimizing the simulator's own performance
• Strong software-engineering practice — testing, CI, profiling, and debugging large long-lived codebases
Preferred:
• gem5 / QEMU / SystemC-TLM / Spike or custom simulators
• JIT / dynamic binary translation
• ML frameworks & workloads
• compiler/runtime exposure
• distributed simulation
• HW/SW co-design
Company:
DensityAI is an infrastructure for data centers serving automotive, robotics, and industrial applications Founded in 2025, the company is headquartered in Mountain View, USA, with a team of 11-50 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.

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