Senior Software Simulation Engineer

Job Title: Software Simulation EngineerJob Description

This role offers the opportunity to work on a variety of advanced flight simulators, developing and integrating software for avionics, tactical environments, audio, visual, motion, I/O systems, and Instructor Operator Stations (IOS). You will design and implement complex software applications primarily in Linux and Windows environments using C and C++, with exposure to other languages, while contributing across the full software development lifecycle from requirements analysis through design, development, integration, and test.

Responsibilities

• Develop complex software applications that support flight simulation projects, following direction from lead software engineers while working independently on assigned tasks.
• Participate in all phases of the software development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, architecture and detailed design, implementation, integration, and test.
• Design software architectures for system components, such as interfaces to external systems and models of aircraft components and subsystems.
• Implement software interfaces to external systems and develop software simulations of aircraft systems with minimal supervision.
• Prepare clear and thorough software documentation, including design descriptions, interface specifications, and test-related materials, and provide inputs for formal design reviews.
• Present software designs and technical approaches during customer reviews and other stakeholder meetings, explaining decisions and trade-offs in a concise, professional manner.
• Support software development activities as assigned by the software lead, ensuring tasks are completed on schedule and to defined quality standards.
• Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, contributing to team planning, problem-solving, and continuous improvement of development processes.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, helping them understand architecture, coding standards, and best practices in simulation and modeling.
• Apply software engineering concepts and processes consistently, including configuration management, version control, and adherence to established coding standards.
• Work with flight simulation hardware and related systems in an onsite environment to integrate, test, and troubleshoot software in realistic operational scenarios.
• Support travel to customer and test locations, including CONUS and OCONUS sites, to assist with integration, testing, and customer support for deployed simulators.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Computer Science.
• At least 5 years of professional software engineering experience with a strong focus on C++ development.
• Hands-on experience designing, developing, and implementing software in C++ for complex systems.
• Proficiency with Visual Studio integrated development environment (IDE).
• Proficiency with GCC compilers and Makefiles for building and managing software projects.
• Strong working knowledge of Linux/UNIX operating systems, with the ability to develop and debug software in these environments.
• Working familiarity with Windows operating systems for software development and integration tasks.
• Solid understanding of software engineering concepts and processes, including requirements analysis, design, implementation, integration, and testing.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate with other engineers and stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly in both written documentation and verbal presentations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Ability to develop software in multiple languages, including C and C++, with exposure to additional languages as needed.
• Knowledge of object-oriented design principles and the ability to apply them to complex, real-time systems.
• Experience or familiarity with flight simulation concepts and systems.
• Knowledge of real-time programming and techniques for deterministic and low-latency software behavior.
• Understanding of military aircraft systems and avionics, including their operation and integration within simulation environments.
• Knowledge of computer networking concepts and protocols relevant to distributed simulation and system interoperability.
• Experience with modeling, simulation, and training solutions, including hardware, software, and system integration.
• Familiarity with interoperability standards such as HLA and DIS for distributed simulation environments.
• Experience with graphics and real-time embedded systems used in simulation and training platforms.
• Ability to obtain or hold a security clearance; an existing Secret clearance is preferred and sponsorship may be available.

Work Environment

This position is based onsite five days per week in a hardware-centric simulation facility, where flight simulator equipment and related systems are located. You will work as part of a team of approximately 12-15 engineers, collaborating closely on modeling, simulation, and training solutions. The environment involves hands-on interaction with flight simulation hardware and software, computer architecture, tactical environments, avionics systems, interoperability technologies, graphics, and real-time embedded systems. The role includes approximately 30% travel to domestic and international locations (including sites such as Orlando, Hawaii, Japan, and the United Kingdom) to support integration, testing, and customer activities. Initial work will focus on specific flight simulators such as MH-47G, V-22, MH-60M, AH-1Z, CH-53K, UH-1Y, and AH-60M, providing exposure to a diverse set of aircraft platforms and mission profiles in a professional, collaborative engineering setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chantilly, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $150000.00 - $155000.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Chantilly,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 6, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.