Simulation Engineer: Software

TPMAI; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

TPMAI is seeking a Simulation Engineer: Software to develop our mission simulation and system integration infrastructure. You will build environments that validate multi-aircraft autonomous firefighting capabilities under real-world constraints before deployment.

You will design world and sensor simulation stacks, integrate multi-system components, and enable real-time and faster-than-real-time testing. Strong C++ and Python skills, Linux tooling, and a track record of end-to-end technical

Qualifications

• Strong experience in modern C++ and Python for simulation tools.
• Experience deploying and debugging in Linux with Docker Compose, CMake, Conan, gdb, Valgrind.
• Knowledge of networking (IP/subnet, TCP/UDP) and multi-host debugging.
• Experience modeling distributed, multi-agent, real-time systems.
• Ability to own a technical domain end-to-end in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and build world and sensor simulation stacks integrating aircraft, autonomy, and external systems.
• Integrate multi-system components into cohesive simulation and test frameworks.
• Develop infrastructure for multi-agent simulation including multiple aircraft and operators.
• Maintain integration pipelines to deploy software into simulation and run large-scale tests.
• Enable real-time and faster-than-real-time simulation for rapid training and testing.
• Partner with autonomy, perception, and flight software teams to ensure simulation matches real-world constraints.

Skills

Modern C++

Python

Networking basics

Multi-agent systems

End-to-end ownership

Tools

Docker Compose

CMake

Conan

gdb

Valgrind

Job description

Location: On-site in Alameda, CA (U.S. Person status required due to export control laws).

Role Overview

Seeking a Simulation Engineer: Software to develop our mission simulation and system integration infrastructure. In this role, you will build the environments that validate multi-aircraft autonomous firefighting capabilities under real-world constraints before they are deployed in-flight.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and build world and sensor simulation stacks (EO/IR, environmental outputs) integrating aircraft, autonomy, and external systems.
• Integrate multi-system components (perception, planning, controls, comms) into cohesive simulation and test frameworks.
• Develop infrastructure for multi-agent simulation, including multiple aircraft, human-in-the-loop operators, and external systems.
• Maintain integration pipelines to continuously deploy software into simulation and run large-scale integrated tests.
• Enable real-time and faster-than-real-time simulation to support rapid training and testing.
• Partner with autonomy, perception, and flight software teams to ensure simulation matches real-world system constraints.

Core Requirements

• Strong experience in modern C++ for performance-critical/safety-critical applications, and Python for simulation and test tooling.
• Practical experience building, deploying, and debugging applications in Linux environments (Docker Compose, CMake, Conan, gdb, Valgrind).
• Solid understanding of networking fundamentals (IP/subnet, TCP/UDP) and debugging multi-host applications.
• Direct experience modeling distributed, multi-agent, or real-time/near-real-time systems.
• Proven ability to move from ambiguity to execution and own a technical domain end-to-end in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in aerospace, robotics, autonomous systems, or simulation for training AI/ML systems.
• Experience with real-time rendering, game engines, or simulation frameworks (e.g., Unreal Engine, AirSim, AFSIM).
• Familiarity with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) or Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) testing.
• Understanding of geospatial reference systems (WGS84, ECEF, Local Tangent Plane) or fire/environmental modeling.
• Experience serving as a firefighter is a major plus.