Software Engineer - Simulation

Socket.dev; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health insurance

401k with match

Paid time off

Wellness stipend

Job summary

Applied Intuition is hiring backend engineers in Ann Arbor to tackle some of the hardest autonomy challenges in physical AI. You will architect and own backend infrastructure that runs at the edge of what's possible, in environments where the stakes are real.

You'll work in small, high-ownership teams shipping code that directly impacts national security, with strong C++ and Python skills and a passion for simulation and multi-domain defense systems.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional engineering experience, ideally with C++.
• Solid fundamentals in systems programming, concurrency, performance, and real-time pipelines.
• Genuine interest in simulation, autonomy, robotics, or physical AI.
• Exposure to multi-domain defense systems or a desire to develop one.
• Strong CS/CE/EE foundation with a rigorous approach to correctness and performance.
• Python proficiency for tooling and integration.
• Comfort with ambiguity and fast-moving environments.
• Excellent communication skills for technical tradeoffs.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement high-performance software for Axion, Applied Intuition's defense tooling and data platform.
• Build and extend simulation environments and virtual worlds for autonomous systems testing.
• Develop scalable infrastructure supporting multi-domain autonomous operations.
• Partner with autonomy researchers, product teams, and defense customers to translate requirements into robust software solutions.
• Own end-to-end execution of engineering workstreams from architecture through deployment.
• Interface with DoD programs and defense customers to meet real-world demands.

Skills

C++

Python

Systems programming

Concurrency

Real-time simulation

Tools

Unreal Engine

Gazebo

Unity

Job description

Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems, and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company’s solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at applied.co.

We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that full-time employees primarily work from their Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments. This in-office expectation does not apply to contractor positions

About the role

Applied Intuition is rapidly scaling its defense product ecosystem in Ann Arbor! We're looking for talented backend engineers at all levels, who are ready to work on some of the hardest autonomy challenges in physical AI today.

You'll be a core contributor to our flagship simulation products, building the foundational systems that power the development of multi-domain autonomous defense operations . This is not a maintenance role. You'll architect, implement, and own backend infrastructure that runs at the edge of what's technically possible, in environments where the stakes are real.

The Ann Arbor team sits at the intersection of Applied's commercial technology velocity and defense-grade requirements, giving you access to a rapidly evolving product suite and real world impact. You'll work in small, high-ownership teams where your code ships, your decisions matter, and your impact on national security is direct.

At Applied Intuition, you will:

• Design and implement high-performance software for Axion, Applied Intuition's defense tooling and data platform

• Build and extend simulation environments and virtual worlds that enable autonomous systems to be tested and validated before real-world deployment

• Develop scalable infrastructure that supports multi-domain autonomous operations — from unmanned ground and aerial platforms to broader joint-force integration scenarios

• Partner with autonomy researchers, product teams, and defense customers to translate mission requirements into robust, mission-ready software solutions

• Own end-to-end execution of engineering workstreams; from architecture through deployment

• Interface with DoD programs and defense customers to ensure solutions meet real-world operational demands

We’re looking for someone who has:

• 3 + years Professional engineering experience , ideally with C++

• Solid software engineering fundamentals: systems programming, concurrency, performance optimization, and real-time rendering or simulation pipelines

• Genuine interest in simulation, autonomy, robotics, or physical AI — you want to understand how your software connects to machines operating in the real world

• Exposure to or curiosity about multi-domain defense systems — you don't need a defense pedigree, but you're excited to develop one

• Strong CS/CE/EE (or similar) foundation; you think rigorously about correctness and performance

• Python proficiency for tooling, scripting, and integration work

• Comfort with ambiguity; you drive clarity and progress in fast-moving, high-stakes environments

• Excellent communication skills; you can explain hard technical tradeoffs to both engineers and non-technical stakeholders

Nice to Have:

• Experience with Unreal Engine or other real-time simulation/game engine environments (e.g., Unity, Gazebo, or custom simulation stacks)Prior work in simulation for autonomy, robotics, gaming, or defense applications

• Familiarity with sensor simulation, synthetic data generation, or physics-based environments

• Experience with distributed systems or real-time data pipelines in constrained environments

Security Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen

• Must hold or be eligible for a U.S. Secret security clearance

For more information about U.S. security clearances: click here.

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.

FOR US-BASED ROLES: Applied Intuition is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application and interview experience to applicants who are disabled veterans and other applicants with disabilities or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations are available, requesting an accommodation will not affect your candidacy in any way, and you are not required to disclose the nature of your disability or medical condition in order to make a request. If you require an accommodation please contact [e-mail]. We will work with you!