Staff Simulation Engineer: Real-Time Modelling & HIL

Shield; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is building advanced autonomous systems for defence and civilian applications, with offices worldwide. This Melbourne-based Staff Engineer in Modelling and Simulation will lead the development and operationalisation of real-time and faster-than-real-time simulation environments for Hivemind Mission Autonomy programs in Australia.

You will architect high-performance C++ software, integrate frameworks, and collaborate across software, autonomy, perception, and test teams to deliver

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Extensive professional software engineering and systems integration experience.
• Strong C++ experience with familiarity to legacy standards.
• Professional Python experience.
• Experience delivering reliable software in fast-paced environments.
• Experience leading teams delivering complex projects.
• Hands-on with real-time, distributed simulation systems or HWIL/SWIL.
• Experience with Docker or containerisation technologies.
• Proficiency in Linux development environments.
• Ability to obtain Australian NV1 security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and evolution of distributed, real-time simulation systems across virtual, constructive, and live environments.
• Architect and implement high-performance C++ software for modelling, simulation, and integration workflows.
• Develop real-time and distributed simulation software for multi-agent and high-fidelity environments.
• Integrate defence frameworks such as AFSIM or NGTS to accelerate delivery.
• Design and deliver containerised simulation deployments using Docker and Kubernetes.
• Provide technical and project leadership to engineering teams of 5+ contributors.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to connect simulation with autonomy algorithms and hardware interfaces.
• Drive CI/CD, test-driven development, software architecture, and tooling.
• Support key customer programs with robust, scalable simulation environments.

Skills

C++ development

Python

Linux

Docker

Real-time simulation

Distributed systems

HWIL/SWIL experience

Team leadership

NGTS/AFSIM familiarity

Education

Tertiary qualification in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mechatronics

Tools

AFSIM

NGTS

Job description

Shield AI is building advanced autonomous systems for defence and civilian applications, with offices worldwide. This Melbourne-based Staff Engineer in Modelling and Simulation will lead the development and operationalisation of real-time and faster-than-real-time simulation environments for Hivemind Mission Autonomy programs in Australia.

You will architect high-performance C++ software, integrate frameworks, and collaborate across software, autonomy, perception, and test teams to deliver