Staff Simulation Engineer - Foundry, DoorDash Air

<div class="content-intro"><p><img style="display: none; max-width: 100%;" src="https://click.appcast.io/greenhouse-te8/a31.png?ent=34&amp;e=22630&amp;t=1701374353806" width="1px"> <img style="display: none; max-width: 100%;" src="https://track.jobadx.com/v1/i.gif?utm_pixel=224e990b-8ff4-4287-8d5d-2ff09647f181&amp;utm_ptz=EST&amp;utm_rqt=track" alt="" width="1"></p></div><h2><strong>Role Overview</strong></h2> <p>We are seeking a <strong>Staff Simulation Engineer </strong>to 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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <h2><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></h2> <ul> <li>Architect and implement an end-to-end simulation stack for aerial autonomy at DoorDash Labs..</li> <li>Develop high-fidelity simulation capabilities, including:</li> <ul> <li>Flight dynamics modeling</li> <li>Contact modeling and constraint handling</li> <li>Sensor and perception simulation</li> <li>Autonomy software-in-the-loop (SITL) integration</li> </ul> <li>Design and implement scalable simulation infrastructure to support:</li> <ul> <li>Regression testing in CI/CD pipelines</li> <li>Continuous validation of flight autonomy and autopilot software stack</li> <li>Mission-level testing and scenario generation</li> </ul> <li>Build cloud-deployed simulation systems to enable large-scale parallel testing and pilot training.</li> <li>Partner closely with autonomy, controls, and aircraft teams to ensure simulation fidelity and validation alignment.</li> <li>Establish technical direction, architecture standards, and performance benchmarks for simulation.</li> <li>Mentor and grow a small team of simulation engineers while remaining deeply hands-on.</li> </ul> <h2><strong>Required Qualifications</strong></h2> <ul> <li>Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.</li> <li>10+ years of experience in robotics or physics-based simulation.</li> <li>Deep expertise in simulator internals, including:</li> <ul> <li>Numerical integration methods</li> <li>Rigid-body dynamics and contact modeling</li> <li>Constraint solving formulations</li> <li>Collision detection algorithms</li> <li>Rendering pipelines and sensor simulation</li> <li>Performance tradeoffs and large-scale optimization</li> </ul> <li>Experience integrating simulation environments with robotics autonomy stacks.</li> <li>Proven experience architecting complex technical systems from scratch.</li> <li>Demonstrated technical leadership as a Principal Engineer or equivalent senior technical role.</li> <li>Strong system-level thinking with the ability to balance fidelity, scalability, and development velocity.</li> </ul> <h2><strong>Preferred Qualifications</strong></h2> <ul> <li>Experience implementing a simulator from scratch (professional or personal projects).</li> <li>Familiarity with modern robotics simulators such as MuJoCo, Gazebo, Isaac, Newton, Genesis, or similar frameworks.</li> <li>Published research in robotics simulation, dynamics, or related areas.</li> <li>Hands-on experience building and operating robotic or UAV systems.</li> <li>Experience with aerospace, UAV flight dynamics, or safety-critical autonomous systems.</li> <li>Experience deploying simulation infrastructure in cloud environ