Staff Modeling & Simulation Engineer (VTOL Aircraft)

About the role

Shield AI is a defense-tech company building autonomy software, aircraft and simulation technologies. Its Aircraft Simulation team evaluates complex autonomous flight algorithms at scale, from mission autonomy simulation to hardware-in-the-loop. As a Staff Modeling & Simulation Engineer, you will help engineer the foundational simulation platform for next-generation VTOL aircraft, developing the simulation engine and deploying aircraft models in C++, and validating them against test and vendor data.

Key responsibilities

• Develop infrastructure and models in C++ for autonomous aircraft simulation.
• Act as a subject matter expert in modern aerospace and software engineering.
• Architect deterministic, high-performance simulation software.
• Lead verification and validation (V&V) analysis studies on models and model tooling.
• Work closely with autonomy, embedded, GNC and test engineering teams so the simulation reflects real aircraft behavior and mission scenarios.
• Contribute to platform-agnostic simulation tooling and train and guide junior engineers.

Required profile

• BS in Computer Science, Aerospace, Robotics or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in simulation software development with C++ competency; exceptional candidates with less experience will be considered.
• Proven experience developing or integrating simulation systems for robotics, aerospace or other complex dynamic systems.
• Eligible to obtain a Secret Clearance (US citizenship required).
• Preferred: MS or PhD, active Secret or Top Secret clearance, and experience with autonomous aircraft systems.

Required skills

• C++ and debugging of complex build and runtime environments.
• Rigid-body dynamics, kinematics and physics of dynamic systems.
• Simulation verification and validation.
• Preferred: C++20 or later, real-time and deterministic software design, DevOps workflows (CI/CD), hardware- and software-in-the-loop simulation, CMake, Conan, Nix, GTest, Python.