Software Simulation Engineer - Flight Software

Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity’s reach into the solar system. Today, Astranis satellites provide dedicated, secure networks to highly-sophisticated customers across the globe— large enterprises, sovereign governments, and the US military. With five satellites on orbit and many more set to launch soon, the company is servicing a backlog of more than $1 billion of commercial contracts.

Astranis is the preferred satellite communications partner for buyers with stringent requirements for uptime, data security, network visibility, and customization. Astranis has raised over $750 million from some of the world’s best investors, from Andreessen Horowitz to Blackrock and Fidelity, and employs a team of 450 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.

Software Simulation Engineer

We are looking for a Software Simulation Engineer to design and build the core architecture of our simulation platform. You will be responsible for the infrastructure that validates our intelligent systems before real-world deployment. Your focus will be on creating a scalable, high-performance virtual environment that seamlessly integrates flight software, autonomy stacks, and external models.

Role

• Simulation Architecture: Design, build, and maintain the core infrastructure, data pipelines, and timing mechanisms for our system-level and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) simulation environments.
• Framework Development: Build robust APIs and interfaces that allow cross-functional teams to easily plug their specific sensor, actuator, and physics models into the broader simulation.
• Software Integration: Integrate flight software, autonomy stacks, and control algorithms directly into the simulator.
• Testing Infrastructure: Develop the backend tooling and automated test frameworks needed to run large-scale simulations, verify system behavior, and catch edge cases.
• Cross-Functional Sync: Act as the simulation platform owner, partnering with hardware and controls teams to ensure the architecture supports their testing requirements and scales effectively.

Requirements 

• BS or MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in software simulation, systems architecture, or complex software development.
• Expert in Python with strong working knowledge of C++.
• Hands-on experience architecting, extending, or maintaining custom software simulators, test harnesses, or large-scale software frameworks.
• Solid understanding of system-level networking and data routing (e.g., Ethernet, UDP/TCP, CAN).

Bonus

• Background in aerospace, automotive, or robotics.
• Familiarity with Embedded Linux, RTOS, or supporting downstream Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) setups.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and scaling simulations in cloud environments.

What we offer:    All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits.  

Base pay is just one component of Astranis’s total rewards package. Your compensation also includes a significant equity package via incentive stock options, high-quality company-subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement planning, flexible PTO, and free on-site catered meals.

Astranis pay ranges are informed and defined through professional-grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.Base Salary$125,000—$170,000 USDU.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required (To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))   Our mission and our products are meant to connect the world and everyone in it, regardless of gender, race, creed, or any other distinction. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage all people to join our team and bring their unique perspective to help make us stronger.