Principal Simulation Engineer

About the Role

We are seeking a

Principal, Head of Simulation to architect and build an end-to-end aerial autonomy simulation stack at Door Dash Labs.

This is a highly technical, hands-on leadership role focused on defining and implementing the simulation architecture that underpins autonomy development, validation, CI/CD testing, and pilot training.

You will operate as the technical authority for simulation: owning core architecture decisions, developing key components yourself, and setting engineering standards.

You will build and mentor a small, high-caliber simulation team while remaining deeply involved in implementation and system design.

This role is ideal for someone who has built simulation systems from first principles, understands simulator internals deeply, and is excited to create a world-class platform from scratch.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and implement an end-to-end simulation stack for aerial autonomy at Door Dash Labs.

• Develop high-fidelity simulation capabilities, including

• Flight dynamics modeling
• Contact modeling and constraint handling
• Sensor and perception simulation
• Autonomy software-in-the-loop (SITL) integration

• Design and implement scalable simulation infrastructure to support

• Regression testing in CI/CD pipelines
• Continuous validation of flight autonomy and autopilot software stack
• Mission-level testing and scenario generation
• Build cloud-deployed simulation systems to enable large-scale parallel testing and pilot training.
• Partner closely with autonomy, controls, and aircraft teams to ensure simulation fidelity and validation alignment.
• Establish technical direction, architecture standards, and performance benchmarks for simulation.
• Mentor and grow a small team of simulation engineers while remaining deeply hands-on.
• Required Qualifications
• Master's or Ph D in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in robotics or physics-based simulation.

• Deep expertise in simulator internals, including

• Numerical integration methods
• Rigid-body dynamics and contact modeling
• Constraint solving formulations
• Collision detection algorithms
• Rendering pipelines and sensor simulation
• Performance tradeoffs and large-scale optimization
• Experience integrating simulation environments with robotics autonomy stacks.
• Proven experience architecting complex technical systems from scratch.
• Demonstrated technical leadership as a Principal Engineer or equivalent senior technical role.
• Strong system-level thinking with the ability to balance fidelity, scalability, and development velocity.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Experience implementing a simulator from scratch (professional or personal projects).
• Familiarity with modern robotics simulators such as Mu Jo Co, Gazebo, Isaac, Newton, Genesis, or similar frameworks.
• Published research in robotics simulation, dynamics, or related areas.
• Hands-on experience building and operating robotic or UAV systems.
• Experience with aerospace, UAV flight dynamics, or safety-critical autonomous systems.
• Experience deploying simulation infrastructure in cloud environments for large-scale distributed testing.

Compensation

The successful candidate’s starting pay will fall within the pay range listed below and is determined based on job-related factors including, but not limited to, skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions.

Base salary is localized according to an employee’s work location.

Ranges are market-dependent and may be modified in the future.

In addition to base salary, the compensation for this role includes opportunities for equity grants. Talk to your recruiter for more information.

• For salaried roles: flexible paid time off/vacation, plus 80 hours of paid sick time per year.
• For hourly roles: vacation accrued at about 1 hour for every 25.97 hours worked (e. g. about 6.7 hours/month if working 40 hours/week), and paid sick time accrued at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked (e. g. about 5.8 hours/month if working 40 hours/week).

The national base pay range for this position within the United States, including Illinois and Colorado: $198,600-292,000 USD.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We're committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within our company, industry, and cities.

We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has room at the table and the tools, resources, and opportunity to excel.

Statement of Non-Discrimination: In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination or harassment based on: race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, or veteran status.

Above and beyond discrimination and harassment based on protected categories, we also strive to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (i. e., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office.

Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at Door Dash.

We value a diverse workforce – people who identify as women, non-binary or gender non-conforming, LGBTQIA+, American Indian or Native Alaskan, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, differently-abled, caretakers and parents, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.

If you need any accommodations, please inform your recruiting contact upon initial connection.

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