Sceye SIM Lead
Status: Full Time
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA / Moriarty, NM
Reports To: Software Lead
Position Summary:Sceye is seeking a Sceye SIM Lead to own our simulation environment for the HAPS flight platform. Our simulation ('SIM') systems replicate vehicle dynamics, avionics, and mission software so engineers can safely develop, test, and validate new capabilities before they ever fly in the stratosphere. This role leads a growing team building high-fidelity, real-time simulation tools that are central to Sceye's flight test and software development lifecycle.
What You'll Do:- Lead the design, development, and maintenance of Sceye's flight and systems simulation environment.
- Manage and mentor a team of simulation and software engineers.
- Build high-fidelity models of vehicle dynamics, avionics, sensors, and communications payloads for use in software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
- Partner with Avionics, Flight Software, and Flight Test teams to define simulation requirements that support upcoming missions.
- Ensure simulation environments accurately reflect real vehicle behavior, including edge cases and failure modes.
- Integrate simulation tools into CI/CD pipelines to support automated regression testing of flight software.
- Own tooling for scenario generation, telemetry playback, and mission rehearsal.
- Drive continuous improvement of simulation fidelity based on flight test data.
- Coordinate with Mission Operations to support pre-flight readiness reviews using simulation results.
- Document simulation architecture, assumptions, and validation methods.
What We're Looking For:- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field; Master's preferred.
- 7+ years of software engineering experience, including 2+ years in a technical leadership or team lead capacity.
- Strong experience building simulation, modeling, or digital-twin systems for aerospace, robotics, or similarly complex physical systems.
- Proficiency in C++ and/or Python for real-time simulation development.
- Solid understanding of vehicle dynamics, control systems, or guidance/navigation concepts.
- Experience with software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test environments.
- Strong leadership and communication skills with experience managing engineers.
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience with flight simulation frameworks (e.g., custom or commercial modeling & simulation platforms, MATLAB/Simulink, JSBSim).
- Background in lighter-than-air vehicles, UAS, satellites, or other high-altitude or aerospace platforms.
- Experience integrating simulation with CI/CD and automated test pipelines.
- Familiarity with real-time operating systems and embedded avionics interfaces.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:- Ability to translate complex physical and software system behavior into accurate simulation models.
- Strong people-leadership skills, with a track record of growing and mentoring engineering talent.
- Detail-oriented with a rigorous approach to validation and verification.
- Comfortable working cross-functionally with hardware, avionics, and flight operations teams.
- Effective communicator able to translate simulation results into actionable engineering decisions.
Physical Requirements:- Primarily an office-based role with occasional lab and hangar visits.
- Occasional travel to Sceye's Moriarty, NM flight operations site required.
- Ability to walk throughout office, lab, and hangar facilities as needed.
What We Offer:At Sceye, we're building more than high-altitude platforms-we're building a workplace where people (and their pups) thrive. Here's what you'll enjoy:
- Chef-Prepared Lunches - Fresh, onsite meals to keep you fueled and focused.
- Snacks & Refreshments - Enjoy a variety of snacks and drinks available throughout the day.
- Wellness Perks - Access to a gym, pickleball court, and an outdoor dog kennel.
- Dog-Friendly Environment - Bring your four-legged friends to work and enjoy a pet-welcoming space.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage - Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, with over 82% of premiums covered-and 100% for everything else.
- 401(k) with Match - Company contributions that are yours from day one.
- High-Performance Culture - Join a collaborative, inclusive environment where your work helps shape the future of aerospace.
