Lead Simulation Engineer

Astrolab; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity ownership

Comprehensive health benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Flexible PTO and parental leave

Home office set up reimbursement

Weekly lunch stipend

Job summary

Astrolab in Hawthorne, California, is seeking a Lead Simulation Engineer to guide the simulation team in developing infrastructure and modeling for planetary rovers. The role requires 10+ years of experience in real-time simulations and leadership in complex systems. Strong skills in C++ and Python are essential. Benefits include equity ownership, comprehensive health benefits, flexible PTO, and a supportive work environment focused on innovation in space exploration.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in simulations of complex systems like spacecraft.
• 3+ years leading a simulation team with planning and management skills.
• Strong programming skills in C++ and Python.

Responsibilities

• Direct technical work of the simulation team and manage priorities.
• Develop simulation infrastructure and vehicle models.
• Integrate simulation with vehicle software and automated testing tools.

Skills

C++

Python

Simulation and model verification

Vehicle dynamics modeling

Fault injection

Job description

Compensation: $142,000 - $235,000 / year

Department: Software Engineering

Location: Hawthorne, California

Description

Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi-purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system. We are seeking motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world-class team. 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 the simulation with vehicle software and automated integrated test tools. The lead simulation engineer will support long-term strategic planning of simulation scope and capabilities with the larger software team and manage the short term tactical priorities. This position is a technical leadership position with an expectation that the lead will also be doing hands on work as part of the simulation team, especially in the realm of integration with other tools and simulation performance improvements.

What you'll do

• 10+ years architecting and building real time and faster than real time simulations of complex systems such as spacecraft, aircraft, automobiles or similar systems. Experience must include developing individual models, modeling vehicle dynamics and vehicle operating environment, and developing simulation infrastructure
• 3 or more years of leading a simulation team, including planning work scope and milestones and managing a small team to meet those milestones
• Experience integrating a simulation with vehicle software that runs in a separate environment (e.g. spacecraft vehicle simulation integrated with vehicle flight software running on a flight computer or automobile simulation integrated with on-board vehicle software running in a container)
• Significant experience with simulation and model verification and validation
• Significant experience with vehicle dynamics modeling, both rigid bodies and flexible bodies and a solid understanding of numerical integration of dynamical systems
• Significant experience modeling real-world sensors and effectors/actuators, including error sources
• Experience with fault injection in a simulation environment
• Strong C++ and Python software programming skills

What you'll bring

• Experience simulating extra-terrestrial rovers
• Experience modeling suspension systems
• Experience with terramechanics modeling and with tuning terramechanics models given fidelity needs vs. simulation performance requirements
• Experience working with standard spaceflight models relevant to extra-terrestrial rovers, such as GRGM1200A lunar gravity model, GMM-3 Mars gravity model, Mars GRAM, and similar
• Significant experience instrumenting, analyzing, and improving simulation performance to ensure real time frames are not overrun or speed up Monte Carlo analysis
• Experience setting up simulations to support Monte Carlo or similar statistical performance analysis

Benefits and Perks

• Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
• Equity ownership in the company
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Flexible PTO and parental leave
• Home office set up reimbursement
• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
• Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks