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Simulator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

DCS CORPORATION

F/A-18 Simulator Operator

Ridgecrest, CA · On-site

$70K - $95K/yr

Salary Range: $70,310 - $95,400 Perform support to the F/A-18 Low-Cost Trainer Simulator at NAWCWD China Lake. Essential Job Functions Operate F/A-18 E/F & E/A-18 G Low-Cost Trainer (LCT). Calibrate ...

DCS Corporation

F/A-18 Simulator Operator

Ridgecrest, CA · On-site

$70K - $95K/yr

Salary Range: $70,310 - $95,400 Perform support to the F/A-18 Low-Cost Trainer Simulator at NAWCWD China Lake. Essential Job Functions Operate F/A-18 E/F & E/A-18 G Low-Cost Trainer (LCT). Calibrate ...

DCS Corp

F/A-18 Simulator Operator

Ridgecrest, CA

$70K - $95K/yr

Salary Range: $70,310 - $95,400 Perform support to the F/A-18 Low-Cost Trainer Simulator at NAWCWD China Lake. Essential Job Functions Operate F/A-18 E/F & E/A-18 G Low-Cost Trainer (LCT). Calibrate ...

Astrolab

Lead Simulation Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

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 ...

DensityAI

Simulation Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

... simulator's own performance * Strong software-engineering practice - testing, CI, profiling, and debugging large long-lived codebases * (Optional) gem5 / QEMU / SystemC-TLM / Spike or custom ...

Skild AI

Simulation Engineer

San Mateo, CA

You will have a dual focus: designing high-level virtual environments and enhancing low-level simulator software. This role requires a blend of technical expertise and collaborative skills, as you ...

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 ...

Astrolab

Lead Simulation Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$142K - $235K/yr

Lead Simulation Engineer Department: Software Engineering Employment Type: Full Time Location: Hawthorne, California Reporting To: Denise Brown Compensation: $142,000 - $235,000 / year Description ...

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 ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsSimulator JobsSimulator Jobs in California

Simulator information

See California salary details

$53.3K

$111.6K

$196.9K

How much do simulator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for simulator in California is $111,624.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,400.00 and $127,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a simulator?

Simulators are professionals who design, operate, or maintain simulation systems used to replicate real-world processes or environments for training, research, or testing purposes. They work with software and hardware to create realistic scenarios in fields like aviation, healthcare, military, or engineering. Their work ensures that users can safely practice skills, test strategies, or evaluate equipment in a controlled virtual environment. This role often involves technical expertise, troubleshooting, and continual system improvements.

What is the difference between Simulator vs Pilot?

AspectSimulator
RoleSimulator
Primary FunctionProvides virtual training environments for pilots to practice procedures and scenarios without real aircraft
CredentialsTypically requires technical certifications or training in simulation technology
Work EnvironmentSimulation labs, training centers, or onboard aircraft for some advanced simulators
Industry UsageUsed across aviation, military, and training sectors for pilot preparation

While a Simulator is a device or system used to train pilots through virtual environments, a Pilot is a licensed professional who operates aircraft in real-world conditions. Simulators are essential tools for pilot training, but they do not replace the actual responsibilities and skills of a pilot. Both roles are interconnected, with simulators supporting pilot development and safety.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals working as simulators, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in simulator roles often face challenges such as ensuring the accuracy and realism of simulation scenarios, keeping up with rapidly evolving technology, and effectively collaborating with subject matter experts. Staying current with industry advancements and maintaining clear communication with team members are crucial to delivering high-quality, relevant simulations. Regular training and feedback sessions can help address these challenges, while a collaborative team environment supports ongoing learning and problem-solving.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a simulator technician?

To excel as a Simulator Technician, you need a strong background in electronics, computer systems, and mechanical troubleshooting, often supported by a technical diploma or degree. Familiarity with simulation software, control systems, and diagnostic equipment is typically required, along with certifications like CompTIA A+ or equivalent. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective communication are vital soft skills for addressing technical issues and supporting users. These skills ensure simulators operate reliably and safely, supporting critical training and operational objectives.
What are the most commonly searched types of Simulator jobs in California? The most popular types of Simulator jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Simulator jobs in California? For Simulator jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Simulator jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Simulator jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Simulator jobs? Cities in California with the most Simulator job openings:
Simulator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Simulator job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,624 per year, or $53.7 per hour.

Senior Simulation Engineer

Metis Technology Solutions Inc

Mountain View, CA • On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Senior Simulation Engineer


The successful applicant will lead simulation and technology projects and experiments, and be part of a team that develops, maintains, and runs simulations in flight simulator facilities at NASA Ames Research Center's SimLabs. SimLabs consists of the Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS), the largest vertical motion simulator in the world; the Advanced Concepts Flight Simulator (ACFS), a hexapod simulator being readied for passenger ride quality research; and FutureFlight Central (FFC), an Air Traffic Control (ATC) simulation facility. The Simulation Engineer will work with team members and research customers to develop, integrate, and test real-time aircraft and spacecraft simulations to fulfill research requirements, generate and validate research data, and provide support during human-in-the-loop simulations to ensure research goals are met. See www.nasa.gov/simlabs and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBgvGmhLFXk&t=66s for more information about SimLabs.


Responsibilities

  1. The Senior Simulation Engineer is responsible for overall management and engineering activities of simulation experiments and technology projects, including:
    1. Project plan development and tracking.
    2. Simulation team task management.
    3. Customer collaboration, and requirements management.
  2. Works within a very software-diverse laboratory environment, addressing system functionality across multiple operating systems (Windows, Linux) and software languages (C/C++, Python, MATLAB/Simulink, Java).
  3. Designs, implements, and modifies aircraft math models and other simulation-specific code per customer requirements. Tests and verifies that models and code meet operational performance requirements.
  4. Works closely with the simulation engineering team to initiate, address, and test new software features and bug fixes.
  5. Operates flight simulators according to research/test plans and serves as the main point of communication for customers and simulation team members involved in running a simulation.
  6. Implements and tests new simulation hardware in the existing simulation infrastructure.
  7. Generates documentation for new software and hardware capabilities, and simulation projects.

Required Qualifications

  1. Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Aeronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline.
  2. More than five years of work experience or other equivalent experience.
  3. Experience in modeling and simulation or equivalent engineering activities.
  4. Experience with MATLAB/Simulink and converting Simulink models to C code using Simulink Coder.
  5. Experience in simulation experiment management.
  6. Strong programming background (e.g., C/C++).
  7. Excellent communication skills.
  8. Eager to learn and understand the simulation software and technologies at SimLabs.


Desired Qualifications

  1. Experience with real-time human-in-the-loop flight simulations and simulators.
  2. Experience in disciplines such as aerodynamics, flight dynamics, flight controls, propulsion, and navigation systems.
  3. Knowledge of Unix shell scripting.
  4. Experience with configuration management tools (such as Git and SVN) and software life cycle practices.


EEOE Including Vets and Disability

No Visa Sponsorship available for this position.