Lead Simulation Engineer
About the role
We are seeking a Lead Simulation Engineer to architect and build an end-to-end aerial autonomy simulation stack at DoorDash 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.
Responsibilities
- Architect and implement an end-to-end simulation stack for aerial autonomy at DoorDash 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.
- Master’s or PhD 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
- 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.
- Experience implementing a simulator from scratch (professional or personal projects).
- Familiarity with modern robotics simulators such as MuJoCo, 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.
- 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; about 3.4 hours/month if working 20 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; about 2.9 hours/month if working 20 hours/week).
We're excited about you because...
Preferred Qualifications
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.
DoorDash cares about you and your overall well-being. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees, which includes a 401(k) plan with employer matching, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, wellness benefits, commuter benefits match, paid time off and paid sick leave in compliance with applicable laws (e.g. Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act). DoorDash also offers medical, dental, and vision benefits, 11 paid holidays, disability and basic life insurance, family-forming assistance, and a mental health program, among others.
To learn more about our benefits, visit our careers page here.
See below for paid time off details:
About DoorDash
At DoorDash, our mission to empower local economies shapes how our team members move quickly, learn, and reiterate in order to make impactful decisions that display empathy for our range of users—from Dashers to merchant partners to consumers. We are a technology and logistics company that started by enabling door-to-door delivery, and we are looking for team members who can help us go from a company that is known as the place you order food to a company that people turn to for any and all goods.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We’re committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within our company, industry, and cities. That’s why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. 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 DoorDash. 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. Thank you to the Level Playing Field Institute for this statement of non-discrimination.
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