Staff Engineer, Modeling & Simulation (R4869)

The Rundown AI, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

The Rundown AI, Inc. is seeking a Staff Modeling & Simulation Engineer in San Diego, California. The role involves developing models and infrastructures for integrated simulation pipelines and creating high-performance simulation tools. Candidates should have over 7 years of experience in simulation software development, especially in modern C++.

Additionally, strong skills in collaboration and debugging environments are essential. Competitive compensation and benefits are included in the offer.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in simulation software development with emphasis on performance optimization.
• Strong understanding of aerodynamics and sensor mechanics.
• Experience in debugging complex build and runtime environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop models and infrastructure for the integrated simulation pipeline in C++.
• Design high-performance simulation tools for faster-than-real-time execution.
• Collaborate across teams for real aircraft behavior simulation.

Skills

Modern C++ (C++17 or later)

Simulation Software Development

Rigid-body dynamics

Collaboration across disciplines

Education

BS or MS in Computer Science, Aerospace, Robotics, or related field

Tools

GTest

CMake

Job description

Job Description:

The Aircraft Simulation team turns frontier autonomy into mission-ready aircraft. We own the commit-to-flight pipeline—deterministic aircraft and mission simulation, HITL/SITL integration, CI/CD, and tooling for automated flight qualification testing. Our goal is simple: make AI fly—safely, reliably, and fast.

As a Staff Modeling & Simulation Engineer, you will be dedicated to Shield AI’s next-generation aircraft program, contributing to our emergent modeling & simulation tooling. You’ll design, build, and scale novel aircraft subsystem models, develop infrastructure that enables robust automated testing for our next generation XBAT product line, and conduct system performance analysis.

What you'll do:

• Develop models and infrastructure for the integrated simulation pipeline in C++.
• Design deterministic, high-performance simulation tools capable of faster-than-real-time execution for development, testing, and release.
• Implement test scenarios and write unit, system, and regression tests.
• Collaborate across autonomy, embedded, GNC, and test engineering to ensure the simulation mirrors real aircraft behavior and mission scenarios.
• Contribute to platform-agnostic simulation tooling to accelerate current and future aircraft design and development efforts.
• Perform verification and validation (V&V) analysis activities on modeling tools.
• Conduct system performance analysis and generate reports and visualizations.
• Utilize best practices in C++, simulation architecture, and performance engineering.

Required qualifications:

• BS or MS in Computer Science, Aerospace, Robotics, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in simulation software development, with emphasis on modern C++ (C++17 or later) and performance optimization.
• Strong understanding of rigid-body dynamics, kinematics, aerodynamics, and sensor mechanics.
• Proven experience developing or integrating simulation systems for robotics, aerospace, and/or autonomous systems.
• Ability to debug complex build and runtime environments (CMake, package management, logging, and profiling tools).
• Experience with software testing tools (GTest, etc.)
• Experience with simulation V&V.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills across software, hardware, and systems disciplines.

Preferred qualifications:

• Grasp of real-time and deterministic software design, including multi-threading, synchronization, and memory management.
• Experience with DevOps-integrated simulation workflows, including CI/CD and automated hardware testing environments.
• Working knowledge of Python for data analysis, test automation, or simulation orchestration.
• Familiarity with aircraft and flight physics modeling.

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.