Simulation Engineering Intern

Aurora; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora is seeking Summer 2027 Simulation Engineering Interns to join our core simulation efforts for the Aurora Driver. You will build or extend simulation, rendering, or physics-modeling components and work in C++ (with Python tooling) on performance-sensitive code.

Ideal candidates are pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's in CS/CG/Physics, have built a simulator or renderer, and can verify models with data. This is an on-site internship in Mountain View or San Francisco with pay of $52–$58/hour.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Computer Graphics, Physics, or related field.
• Has built a simulator, renderer, physics engine, game engine, or robotics simulation.
• Experience with C++ is required.
• Depth in at least one relevant specialization (rendering/ray tracing, GPU programming, lidar/radar, vehicle dynamics, etc.).
• Has verified a simulation or model's correctness systematically.

Responsibilities

• Build or extend simulation, rendering, or physics-modeling components used to validate the Aurora Driver.
• Work in C++ (with Python for tooling) on performance-sensitive simulation code.
• Reason about 3D math and geometry (sensor sim) or vehicle dynamics and behavior modeling (behavioral sim).
• Validate simulation output against measured or ground-truth data.
• Profile and improve performance of simulation pipelines running at scale.

Skills

C++ experience

Simulation experience

3D math

Python tooling

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/CG/Physics

Tools

C++

GPU programming

Job description

Who We Are

Aurora’s mission is to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly.

The Aurora Driver will create a new era in mobility and logistics, one that will bring a safer, more efficient, and more accessible future to everyone.

At Aurora, you will tackle massively complex problems alongside other passionate, intelligent individuals, growing as an expert while expanding your knowledge. For the latest news from Aurora, visit aurora.tech or follow us on LinkedIn.

What We Are Looking For

We're searching for Summer 2027 Simulation Engineering Interns. You'll work on the simulation systems that let Aurora develop and validate the Driver without driving every mile — sensor simulation (rendering, path tracing, USD scene representation) and/or behavioral simulation (actor and world modeling in closed loop).

In this role you will

• Build or extend simulation, rendering, or physics-modeling components used to validate the Aurora Driver
• Work in C++ (with Python for tooling) on performance-sensitive simulation code
• Reason about 3D math and geometry (sensor sim) or vehicle dynamics and behavior modeling (behavioral sim)
• Validate simulation output against measured or ground-truth data rather than relying on visual inspection alone
• Profile and improve performance of simulation pipelines running at scale

Required Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Graphics, Physics, or a related field
• Has built a simulator, renderer, physics engine, game engine, or robotics simulation not just used an existing one
• Personal or research-project experience with C++
• Depth in at least one relevant specialization (rendering/ray tracing, GPU programming, physically-based materials/optics, lidar/radar/signal processing, vehicle dynamics/controls, motion planning/agent behavior, real-time simulation architecture, 3D content pipelines, or ML for 3D)
• Has verified a simulation or model's correctness systematically, not just by visual inspection

Desirable Qualifications

• Prior internship or production-level C++ experience
• Experience with GPU-accelerated raytracing or texturing

Compensation

The hourly pay rate for this internship in Mountain View or San Francisco is:

• $52.00 per hour for interns pursuing a bachelor’s degree; and
• $58.00 per hour for interns pursuing a master’s degree

Working at Aurora

At Aurora, we bring together extraordinarily talented and experienced people united by the strength of our values. We operate with integrity, set outrageous goals, and build a culture where we win together — all without any jerks.

We believe in-person work increases collaboration, empathy, and our ability to lead effectively. As a result, Aurorans are expected to work from the office at least 3 days per week, with some roles requiring more frequent in-office presence, up to 5 days per week, based on operational needs.

Our Careers page provides insight into what it is like to work at Aurora, and you can find all the latest updates in our Newsroom.

Our commitment to safety

At the core of everything we do is our commitment to safety. Building best-in-class self-driving technology will take time, and we believe that each employee at Aurora has a role in contributing to safety, every step of the way. Aurora expects commitment to our safety policies from every employee, and seeks candidates who take an active responsibility, can contribute to building an atmosphere of trust, and invest in the organization’s long-term success by prioritizing working safely, no matter what.

Our commitment to inclusion

Aurora considers candidates without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy status, parent or caregiver status, ancestry, political affiliation, veteran and/or military status, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by federal or state law. Aurora considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

For California applicants, information collected and processed as part of your application and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Aurora’s California Employment Privacy Policy.