Simulation Framework Engineer I — Autonomy & Simulation

Shieldai; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI seeks an early-career Simulation Framework Engineer to help develop and maintain software connecting modeling and simulation environments with autonomy systems. You will write C++ and Python code, build adapters and plugins, and support reusable components across HMSSimBlocks and HMSF.

You will join a team migrating HMSSimBlocks features to HMSF, porting modules, testing functionality, and ensuring compatibility for programs relying on HMSSimBlocks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent practical experience.
• Foundational programming in C++ and Python.
• Familiar with Linux, tooling, and scripting.
• Understanding of Git, debugging, and automated testing.
• Familiarity with object-oriented design and software interfaces.
• Exposure to networking (TCP/UDP, DDS) is a plus.
• Interest in modeling, simulation, autonomy, robotics.
• Citizenship and ability to obtain US SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop, compile, test, and maintain C++ and Python software for simulation adapters, plugins, and interfaces.
• Contribute to baseline integrations for simulation backends such as AFSIM, NGTS, Aechelon, HMSSimBlocks, and HMSF.
• Assist with the transition from HMSSimBlocks to HMSF by porting simulation features, updating interfaces, validating behavior, and documenting migration considerations.
• Help maintain and improve existing HMSSimBlocks integrations for programs that still depend on the legacy framework.
• Support the development of reusable simulation components and plugin patterns that enable other engineering teams to integrate custom sensors, vehicle models, effects, or mission capabilities.
• Assist with implementation and maintenance of CIGI-based plugins and interfaces that enable communication between simulation frameworks and Aechelon image generators.
• Help verify functional behavior across simulation plugins, including CSF file loading, DDS communications, GRID interface requirements, and Hivemind SDK compatibility.
• Diagnose simulation and autonomy integration issues by reviewing logs, network traffic, DDS messages, API behavior, configuration files, and call stacks.
• Write and maintain unit tests, automated integration tests, developer documentation, and example configurations.
• Participate in code reviews, engineering design discussions, bug triage, and collaborative debugging with teams.

Skills

C++

Python

Linux development

Git-based version control

Unit testing

Debugging

Distributed systems

Software architecture

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field

Tools

AFSIM

NGTS

Aechelon

HMSSimBlocks

HMSF

CIGI-based plugins

Job description

Shield AI seeks an early-career Simulation Framework Engineer to help develop and maintain software connecting modeling and simulation environments with autonomy systems. You will write C++ and Python code, build adapters and plugins, and support reusable components across HMSSimBlocks and HMSF.

You will join a team migrating HMSSimBlocks features to HMSF, porting modules, testing functionality, and ensuring compatibility for programs relying on HMSSimBlocks.