Simulations Software Engineer - Distributed Simulation

Job Description

Job Description

Location: Remote, United States

Employment Type: Contract with potential conversion to a full-time position

Contract with potential conversion to a full-time position.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Simulations Software Engineer to join our aerospace client’s team developing spacecraft simulation software. You will help design and integrate distributed simulation environments, guide architectural decisions, and mentor engineers working within a complex ecosystem of interconnected simulators. We welcome candidates from aerospace, defense, and other industries with experience developing distributed simulations or scientific software. Direct spacecraft experience is a plus but is not required.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain software models of spacecraft components and subsystems using C++ and Python.
• Develop and integrate distributed simulators using High Level Architecture (HLA), Runtime Infrastructure (RTI), and related simulation technologies.
• Support simulation orchestration, time management, synchronization, and data exchange across interconnected simulators.
• Provide technical guidance on distributed simulation architecture and mentor team members.
• Interpret hardware specifications, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and technical documentation to create accurate software models.
• Troubleshoot integration, networking, timing, and performance issues across complex simulation environments.
• Maintain and enhance legacy software through code analysis, refactoring, and incremental improvements.
• Develop automated unit, integration, and system tests and deploy changes through established CI/CD pipelines.
• Collaborate with software and systems engineers and participate in technical discussions and customer-facing design reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field. Four additional years of relevant experience may substitute for a degree.

Required Skills

• 5+ years of professional software development experience in scientific applications, simulation, or complex technical systems.
• Experience developing distributed simulations, including synchronization, timing coordination, and communication between simulation components.
• Strong programming skills in C++ and/or Python; experience with both is preferred, with an emphasis on C++.
• Ability to understand hardware behavior and translate technical specifications and interface documentation into software.
• Experience with Linux, TCP/IP networking, and debugging complex distributed systems.
• Experience maintaining existing codebases, using version control, and developing automated tests.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and technical problem-solving skills.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Preferred Skills

• Hands-on experience with HLA, IEEE 1516, RTI integration, and federate development. Candidates with related distributed simulation experience and strong synchronization fundamentals will also be considered.
• Experience with Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) or other simulation interoperability standards.
• Familiarity with RTI implementations such as Pitch RTI, MAK RTI, or Portico.
• Experience guiding software architecture decisions or mentoring engineers.
• Knowledge of simulation orchestration, scenario management, real-time systems, or timing protocols such as NTP or PTP.
• Experience with DDS, ZeroMQ, socket programming, Docker, or Kubernetes.
• Familiarity with spacecraft hardware interfaces, command and telemetry protocols, or spacecraft operations and testing.
• Experience with CI/CD tools and testing frameworks such as GitLab CI, Jenkins, Google Test, pytest, or CTest.

ATR International is committed to delivering next-generation recruiting that enables businesses and communities to thrive. By bringing passion for excellence, trust, and inclusion to every interaction, we build deep connections with our clients, contractors, internal staff, and local markets to drive long-term mutual success.

Founded in 1988 as a two-person, Hispanic-owned company, ATR is now a widely renowned technical staffing and consulting leader. Our firm has grown to serve a range of companies—from startups to Fortune 500 organizations—while putting more than 35,000 people to work, totaling over 14 million working hours. And we support a plethora of industries, from IT, engineering, and finance to healthcare, insurance, and retail.

Our passion for inclusion is at the heart of our success. Our woman-led, minority-owned firm welcomes fresh perspectives, and our efforts have earned us WBENC Certification—the most prestigious national recognition for women-owned businesses in the U.S. Today, ATR remains one of the most diverse firms in the staffing industry.

Reach out to learn how we can support your staffing or job search needs, no matter your background.

Company Description

ATR International is committed to delivering next-generation recruiting that enables businesses and communities to thrive. By bringing passion for excellence, trust, and inclusion to every interaction, we build deep connections with our clients, contractors, internal staff, and local markets to drive long-term mutual success.\n\nFounded in 1988 as a two-person, Hispanic-owned company, ATR is now a widely renowned technical staffing and consulting leader. Our firm has grown to serve a range of companies—from startups to Fortune 500 organizations—while putting more than 35,000 people to work, totaling over 14 million working hours. And we support a plethora of industries, from IT, engineering, and finance to healthcare, insurance, and retail.\n\nOur passion for inclusion is at the heart of our success. Our woman-led, minority-owned firm welcomes fresh perspectives, and our efforts have earned us WBENC Certification—the most prestigious national recognition for women-owned businesses in the U.S. Today, ATR remains one of the most diverse firms in the staffing industry.\n\nReach out to learn how we can support your staffing or job search needs, no matter your background.