Senior Real-Time Simulation Engineer (C++, ROS2)

InvestedintheMission; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 265,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Simulation Software Engineer (Vehicle Engineering) to design, develop, and test our in-house high‑fidelity simulation software used across flight systems. You will implement core simulation infrastructure and build models of fluids, electronics, and multi‑body physics, collaborating across engineering teams.

The role emphasizes real‑time performance, code quality, and scalability, with opportunities to influence Falcon, Dragon, Starship, and Starlink software ecosystems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS/engineering or STEM with 5+ years software development
• 2+ years development experience in C++
• Strong software design and development skills in C++

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the high-fidelity real-time simulation software used for all vehicles
• Develop prototypes to prove out key design concepts and quantify technical constraints
• Maintain the highest standards of excellence, never settle for the status quo
• Improve reliability and performance of simulation software
• Work with simulation software users to develop new features and improve user experiences

Skills

C++

Software design

Distributed computing

Networking protocols

Memory management

CPU scheduling

Debugging

Unit testing

ROS2

Gazebo

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/engineering or STEM

Tools

ROS2

Gazebo

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Simulation Software Engineer (Vehicle Engineering) to design, develop, and test our in-house high‑fidelity simulation software used across flight systems. You will implement core simulation infrastructure and build models of fluids, electronics, and multi‑body physics, collaborating across engineering teams.

The role emphasizes real‑time performance, code quality, and scalability, with opportunities to influence Falcon, Dragon, Starship, and Starlink software ecosystems.