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Simulator Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

APEX TK is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Modeling & Simulation Engineer to join our team supporting a critical government client. This position offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge ...

Simulation Developer

Quantico, VA ยท On-site

$91K - $153K/yr

As a Simulation Developer, you will serve as a trusted advisor to our customers, ensuring the technical architecture of wargames is robust and reliable while directly shaping the tools used to ...

Simulation Developer

Quantico, VA ยท On-site

$141K - $236K/yr

As a Simulation Developer, you will serve as a trusted advisor to our customers, ensuring the technical architecture of wargames is robust and reliable while directly shaping the tools used to ...

Simulation Developer

Quantico, VA ยท On-site

$141K - $236K/yr

As a Simulation Developer, you will serve as a trusted advisor to our customers, ensuring the technical architecture of wargames is robust and reliable while directly shaping the tools used to ...

Simulation Developer

Quantico, VA ยท On-site

$141K - $236K/yr

As a Simulation Developer, you will serve as a trusted advisor to our customers, ensuring the technical architecture of wargames is robust and reliable while directly shaping the tools used to ...

Simulation Developer

Quantico, VA ยท On-site

$91K - $153K/yr

As a Simulation Developer, you will serve as a trusted advisor to our customers, ensuring the technical architecture of wargames is robust and reliable while directly shaping the tools used to ...

Simulation Developer

Quantico, VA ยท On-site

$141K - $236K/yr

As a Simulation Developer, you will serve as a trusted advisor to our customers, ensuring the technical architecture of wargames is robust and reliable while directly shaping the tools used to ...

Modeling and Simulation Engineer

Chantilly, VA ยท On-site

$121K - $151K/yr

Modeling and Simulation Engineer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the ...

Modeling and Simulation Engineer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the ...

Showing results 41-60

Simulator Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$25

$53

$76

How much do simulator engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for simulator engineer in Virginia is $53.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42.88 and $61.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a simulator engineer?

Simulator Engineers are professionals who design, develop, maintain, and optimize simulation systems used to replicate real-world processes or equipment. These simulations are commonly used for training, testing, and research across industries such as aviation, automotive, defense, and healthcare. Simulator Engineers work with both hardware and software components to ensure simulations are accurate, reliable, and meet specific requirements. Their responsibilities often include troubleshooting, upgrading systems, and collaborating with subject matter experts to create realistic training environments.

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

To thrive as a Simulator Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering, computer science, or a related field, along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Experience with simulation software (such as MATLAB/Simulink, Unity, or similar), programming languages (like C++ or Python), and knowledge of hardware integration are typically required. Excellent communication, teamwork, and project management abilities help you collaborate effectively and manage complex projects. These skills ensure accurate simulation development, smooth project execution, and the ability to meet client or organizational requirements.

What are some common challenges simulator engineers face when integrating new technologies into existing simulation systems?

Simulator Engineers often encounter challenges when integrating new technologies, such as ensuring compatibility with legacy hardware and software, minimizing system downtime, and maintaining simulation accuracy. They must also rigorously test new components to meet industry standards and user requirements while collaborating closely with software developers, hardware engineers, and end users to address unforeseen issues. Adaptability and strong problem-solving skills are essential, as Simulator Engineers frequently need to troubleshoot and customize solutions for complex simulation environments.

What is the difference between Simulator Engineer vs Test Engineer?

AspectSimulator EngineerTest Engineer
Required credentialsBachelor's or higher in engineering, specialized training in simulationBachelor's or higher in engineering, quality assurance, or related field
Work environmentDesigning, developing, and testing simulation systems in labs or officesConducting tests on products or systems in labs, manufacturing, or field settings
Employer & industry usageUsed mainly in aerospace, defense, automotive, and training sectorsCommon across manufacturing, software, aerospace, and automotive industries

Simulator Engineers focus on creating and refining simulation systems to mimic real-world scenarios, while Test Engineers primarily evaluate and validate products or systems through testing procedures. Both roles require technical expertise and often collaborate, but Simulator Engineers specialize in simulation development, whereas Test Engineers concentrate on quality assurance and performance validation.

What job categories do people searching Simulator Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Simulator Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

Infographic showing various Simulator Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $110,595 per year, or $53.2 per hour.

Modeling and Simulation Engineer

APEX TK LLC

Chantilly, VA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

APEX TK is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Modeling & Simulation Engineer to join our team supporting a critical government client. This position offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects within the aerospace domain.

Responsibilities:

  • Define modeling requirements from user needs and system architecture and develop scripts to automate scenario modeling and performance analysis.
  • Perform advanced modeling related to orbital mechanics (orbit determination, orbital maneuvering, and spacecraft flight dynamics) and/or sensor phenomenology (optics/radar/RF)
  • Use and develop cutting-edge modeling and simulation tools and algorithms to help address some of the most challenging issues regarding Space Situational Awareness (SSA) for the Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense (DOD)
  • Develop code / scripts to develop algorithms, perform analyses, and automate data processing to model space conflict scenarios for system evaluation and mission effectiveness
  • Work in a collaborative team environment studying and analyzing a wide variety of interesting and complex problems in the Space domain
  • Incorporate phenomenological modeling principles into relevant models and simulations.


Required Qualifications:

  • 2-10 years of relevant experience.
  • Bachelor's Degree in a STEM related field such as Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Aerospace, Computer Science, etc.
  • Active Top Secret/SCI w/ CI Poly Clearance
  • Experience performing space-related engineering analysis (collecting, organizing, analyzing data) using one or more of the following: C++, Python, R, SQL, PostgreSQL, Linux, MATLAB, VBA, or STK
  • Ability to communicate findings and recommendations to internal and external customers
  • Solid understanding of orbital mechanics and space systems.
  • Experience with phenomenological models, including a demonstrated ability to model relevant physical phenomena and validate those models.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in a STEM related field.
  • Experience with other simulation tools and programming languages.
  • Experience with non-cooperative target tracking.
  • Experience with collection & revisit modeling.
  • Knowledge of cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure).
Employment Type: FULL_TIME