Sr. Simulation & Model Training Engineer - Drone Autonomy (AI2531)

SiMa.ai; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

SiMa.ai is seeking a Sr. Simulation & Model Training Engineer for drone autonomy in San Jose, CA. You will build realistic simulation environments and train models for autonomous flight using C++, Python, and ROS, with a focus on sim-to-real deployment on edge hardware.

The role requires 5+ years in robotics, strong expertise in simulation platforms and sensor modeling, and the ability to optimize AI for power-constrained devices. On-site in San Jose with equity and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in robotics, simulation and training deep learning models for physical hardware.
• Proven expertise in simulation platforms, sensor modeling, and flight dynamics.
• Experience optimizing and deploying AI models to power-constrained edge devices.
• Proficiency in C++, Python and ROS.
• Background in drone navigation, flight controllers, or aerial autonomy is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create physics-based virtual environments and sensor models to generate high-fidelity synthetic datasets for robust model training.
• Design and refine AI architectures for perception, navigation, and multi-sensor fusion for autonomous flight.
• Optimize deep learning models to run efficiently on power-constrained edge hardware.
• Establish automated testing pipelines using real-world flight data to validate and improve sim-to-real performance.

Skills

Drone autonomy

Robotics simulation

Edge AI

C++

Python

ROS

Education

Bachelors in CS/Robotics/Aerospace

Tools

ROS

Job description

Job Title: Sr. Simulation & Model Training Engineer - Drone Autonomy

Job Location: San Jose, CA (This position requires a full-time, on-site presence in our San Jose, CA office)

Job ID: AI2531

Job Description

Overview: SiMa.ai provides high-performance computing for autonomous robotics. In this role, you will bridge virtual testing and real-world flight by building realistic simulation environments and training models for reliable deployment on physical drone hardware.

What You'll Do

• Simulation & Synthetic Data — Create physics-based virtual environments and sensor models to generate high-fidelity synthetic datasets for robust model training.
• Model Development — Design and refine AI architectures for perception, navigation, and multi-sensor fusion specifically for autonomous flight.
• Edge Optimization — Optimize deep learning models to run efficiently on specialized, power-constrained edge hardware.
• Validation — Establish automated testing pipelines that use real-world flight data to validate and improve sim-to-real performance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in robotics, simulation, and training deep learning models for physical hardware.
• Proven expertise in simulation platforms, sensor modeling, and flight dynamics.
• Experience optimizing and deploying AI models to power-constrained edge devices.
• Proficiency in modern programming languages (C++, Python) and robotics middleware (ROS).
• Background in drone navigation, flight controllers, or aerial autonomy is highly preferred.
• Degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace, or a related engineering field.

Why it matters

You will build the high-fidelity flywheel that enables every drone program running on SiMa.ai silicon to train faster and ship more reliably in the real world.

Personal Attributes

Can-do attitude. Strong team player. Curious, creative and good at solving problems. Execution and results-oriented. Self-driven, Thinks Big and is highly accountable. Good communication skills.

The annual salary for this position ranges from $120,800 - $193,300. The actual annual salary offered will depend on several factors, including - among others - job-related skills, experience, technical expertise, qualifications, work location, and business needs. The annual salary range for this position is subject to change and may be adjusted in the future.

In addition to base salary, this role is also eligible for private company equity, and a comprehensive package of employee benefits. Please note that the salary ranges listed for U.S. roles reflect base salary only and do not include equity or other forms of compensation.

EEO Employer: SiMa is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.