Spacecraft Autonomy Simulation Engineer (Unreal)

Lodestar; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Lodestar in Los Angeles is seeking a Software Engineer – Simulation to build and validate the environment for the MITHRIL autonomy stack. You will create high-fidelity sensor and environment models and run SIL/HIL benches against flight software.

You’ll work with perception, prediction, decision and missions teams to decide modeling needs, fidelity, and reproducibility across CI and distributed systems. Strong C++17+ and Python skills are required.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of industry experience with end-to-end simulation stack ownership.
• Experience with Unreal Engine for sensor or environment simulation.
• Experience standing up SIL/HIL benches with CI integration and automated regression testing.
• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in relevant fields or equivalent experience.
• Strong multithreaded and concurrent programming in real-time contexts.
• Experience with ROS 2 and DDS middleware for distributed autonomy systems.

Responsibilities

• Build and validate high-fidelity simulation environments for the autonomy stack.
• Develop sensor models (EO cameras, lighting) and physics-based environments.
• Stand up SIL and HIL benches with CI integration and automated regression testing.
• Collaborate with perception, prediction, decision and missions teams to define fidelity needs.
• Own internal simulation tooling, telemetry, and regression frameworks.
• Design distributed simulation services to scale mission scenarios.

Skills

C++

Python

Unreal Engine

ROS 2

Linux

Multithreading

Distributed systems

Docker/Kubernetes

CUDA

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Aerospace, Robotics, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Unreal Engine

ROS 2

Gazebo

DDS Middleware

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Lodestar in Los Angeles is seeking a Software Engineer – Simulation to build and validate the environment for the MITHRIL autonomy stack. You will create high-fidelity sensor and environment models and run SIL/HIL benches against flight software.

You’ll work with perception, prediction, decision and missions teams to decide modeling needs, fidelity, and reproducibility across CI and distributed systems. Strong C++17+ and Python skills are required.