How to hire a Simulation Engineer

How to hire a simulation engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step simulation engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a simulation engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new simulation engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a Simulation Engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your simulation engineer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a simulation engineer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine Employee vs Contractor Status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A simulation engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, simulation engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents simulation engineer salaries for various positions.

   Type Of Simulation Engineer	Description	Hourly Rate
   Simulation Engineer	Aerospace engineers design primarily aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. In addition, they test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design.	$33-63
   Research And Development Engineer	Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies... Show More	$35-64
   Product Development Engineer	A Product Development Engineer is responsible for creating and testing new product designs. They collaborate with market researchers to evaluate market needs, existing competition, and potential costs.	$30-54

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common Skills:

   • Python
   • MATLAB
   • Simulink
   • Java
   • Systems Engineering
   • Linux
   • Math
   • C
   • C++
   • Visualization
   • Data Analysis
   • Simulation Software
   • DOD
   • Simulation Models

   Check All Skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage hardware and software development, integration, and support of the HIL simulation laboratory.
   • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
   • Create numerous SBIR/STTR proposals for NASA and DOD.
   • Train clients in the usage of engineering software such as AutoCAD and MATLAB.
   • Integrate aircraft and telescope physics base sensor models using C++ and Java programming languages.
   • Integrate a Lockheed develop discrimination model (SIMULINK generate C++ code) into the simulation to provide additional fidelity.

   More Simulation Engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your simulation engineer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A simulation engineer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, simulation engineers' average salary in indiana is 40% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level simulation engineers earn 47% less than senior-level simulation engineers.
   • Certifications. A simulation engineer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a simulation engineer's salary.

   Average simulation engineer salary

   $97,266yearly

   $46.76 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level simulation engineer salary

   $70,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2025

   Average simulation engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. Salary	Hourly Rate
   1	California	$126,274	$61
   2	Texas	$109,883	$53
   3	Washington	$106,082	$51
   4	Colorado	$103,545	$50
   5	Arizona	$102,973	$50
   6	Massachusetts	$102,911	$49
   7	Minnesota	$102,773	$49
   8	Alabama	$94,187	$45
   9	North Carolina	$89,006	$43
   10	Virginia	$88,248	$42
   11	Michigan	$87,376	$42
   12	Ohio	$85,112	$41
   13	Pennsylvania	$82,445	$40
   14	Illinois	$82,116	$39
   15	Florida	$79,666	$38
   16	Indiana	$69,584	$33

   Average simulation engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average Salary	Hourly Rate	Job Openings
   1	Meta	$152,009	$73.08	46
   2	Apple	$145,694	$70.05	594
   3	DoorDash	$141,834	$68.19	65
   4	Google	$138,745	$66.70	35
   5	Zoox	$136,497	$65.62	11
   6	Amazon	$129,816	$62.41	359
   7	Uber Technologies	$127,438	$61.27	2
   8	Hyperloop Transportation Technologies	$121,042	$58.19
   9	Occidental Petroleum	$120,878	$58.11	5
   10	Chevron	$120,251	$57.81	4
   11	Joby Aviation	$118,677	$57.06	12
   12	Exxon Mobil	$118,187	$56.82	9
   13	Koch Industries	$117,256	$56.37
   14	Argo AI	$114,057	$54.84
   15	Electronic Arts	$112,854	$54.26	1
   16	Parsons	$110,591	$53.17	79
   17	AllianceBernstein	$109,275	$52.54	1
   18	Faraday Technology	$108,184	$52.01
   19	Cirrus Logic	$107,888	$51.87	5
   20	Booz Allen Hamilton	$106,722	$51.31	44

4. Writing a Simulation Engineer Job Description

   A simulation engineer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a simulation engineer job description:

   Simulation Engineer job description example

   Leading the future in luxury electric and mobility
   At Lucid, we set out to introduce the most captivating, luxury electric vehicles that elevate the human experience and transcend the perceived limitations of space, performance, and intelligence. Vehicles that are intuitive, liberating, and designed for the future of mobility.
   
   We plan to lead in this new era of luxury electric by returning to the fundamentals of great design - where every decision we make is in service of the individual and environment. Because when you are no longer bound by convention, you are free to define your own experience.
   
   Come work alongside some of the most accomplished minds in the industry. Beyond providing competitive salaries, we're providing a community for innovators who want to make an immediate and significant impact. If you are driven to create a better, more sustainable future, then this is the right place for you.
   
   We are currently seeking a Software Engineer for our ADAS / Autonomous Driving team. This position requires a strong background in automotive simulation, modelling and testing.
   
   Your Role:Work on a state-of-the-art simulation pipeline for the test and development of ADAS/AD features allowing rapid definition and scalable management of the vast number of required scenarios Integrate simulations with various closed-loop test environments like SIL and HILCollaborate with a diverse team of engineers and testers to meet the necessary simulation targets
   Qualifications:Demonstrate excellence in OO programming languages, such as C/C++ or JavaFamiliarity with game engines such as Unreal and Unity, or automotive simulators (e.g. VTD, CarMaker) Ability to write technical documentation Strong communication skills
   Advantageous:Efficient use of Linux scripting and automation capabilities Knowledge with descriptive interfaces like XML, YAMLExperience with 3D modeling and CADBackground in sensor and actuator modeling Real-time performance optimization with and without multi-threaded programming techniques
   Education:BS minimum in the areas of Computer Science/Engineering, Data Engineering or other related fields Ideally 3+ years of work experience or a Ph.D. in a related field Advanced degrees preferred
   At Lucid, we don't just welcome diversity - we celebrate it! Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable State or Federal laws and regulations.
   
   Notice regarding COVID-19 protocols
   At Lucid, we prioritize the health and wellbeing of our employees, families, and friends above all else. In response to the novel Coronavirus all new Lucid employees, whose job will be based in the United States may or may not be required to provide original documentation confirming status as having received the prescribed inoculation (doses). Vaccination requirements are dependent upon location and position, please refer to the job description for more details.
   
   Individuals in positions requiring vaccinations may seek a medical and/or religious exemption from this requirement and may be granted such an accommodation after submitting a formal request to and the subsequent review and approval thereof by our dedicated Covid-19 Response team.
   
   To all recruitment agencies: Lucid Motors does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our careers alias or other Lucid Motors employees. Lucid Motors is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

   Copy This Example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find simulation engineers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your simulation engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit simulation engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting simulation engineers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new simulation engineer

   Once you've found the simulation engineer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new simulation engineer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a simulation engineer?