Flight Simulator, Software Engineer II - Virgin Galactic : Job Details

The Flight Simulator, Software Engineer II is part of the VG's Flight Simulation & Mission Control team within the Spaceline Missions and Mission Operations Group. Occasional work at other VG facilities in the U.S. or abroad may be required.

We are seeking a highly experienced and passionate Flight Simulator Software Engineer and Programmer with a proven background in developing, integrating, and delivering advanced aerospace or aviation simulation systems. This role involves contributing to the architecture, design, and implementation of both high-fidelity and desktop flight simulation environments, integrating hardware/software systems, and enhancing simulation realism.

As a member of the team, you will provide technical guidance, and you will collaborate with multidisciplinary stakeholders including pilot, aerospace engineers and mission control specialists. Your deep simulator expertise will help drive innovation, resolve complex integration challenges, and ensure our simulation platforms set the standard for realism, reliability, and performance. Additional responsibilities include operating the simulator following defined scenario guidelines and supporting other departments with on-ship avionics system software development, integration, and troubleshooting.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who thrives on technical challenges, has a strong background in real-time systems, and understands aviation dynamics, whether from an engineering or piloting perspective.

• Design, develop, and maintain software for high-fidelity and desktop flight simulation systems.
• Integrate flight models, avionics systems, and real or virtual cockpit hardware into simulator environments.
• Implement shared memory frameworks and synchronization techniques for distributed simulation systems.
• Support real-time data collection, visualization, and external communication with avionics and networked systems.
• Architect modular and scalable systems for both engineering development and pilot training use.
• Collaborate across engineering, operations, and flight sciences to define requirements and deliver solutions that directly support mission objectives.
• Participate in DevOps and CI/CD pipeline development for streamlined deployment and testing.
• Conduct code reviews to ensure maintainability, performance, and safety compliance.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering or other related engineering fields.
• 5+ years of professional experience in software development.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering advanced aerospace or aviation simulator systems.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ with working knowledge of other languages and scripting such as C#, bash, or python.
• Experience with real-time systems, distributed simulation, or embedded systems.
• Familiarity with Matlab/Simulink, especially S-Functions and model decomposition.
• Working knowledge of network communication protocols and debugging tools (TCP/UDP, wireshark, etc.).
• Experience with simulator integration involving shared memory, hardware I/O, or control interfaces.
• Proficiency in Git-based source control and CI/CD tools (e.g., Jenkins, Docker).
• Excellent debugging and performance optimization skills in multi-threaded environments.

• Experience with flight simulation frameworks, avionics protocols (ARINC-429, ADS-B, GDL-90), or cockpit control systems.
• Knowledge of aerospace standards, human factors research, or FAA-related simulation environments.
• Experience with iOS or embedded applications related to aerospace systems.
• Knowledge of visualization tools such as OpenGL, or simulation display frameworks.
• Comfortable working with containerized environments and cloud services like AWS.
• Strong understanding of systems integration and hardware/software interface design.
• Background in UI/UX design for technical systems or simulators.
• Pilot experience (commercial, private, or hobbyist) is a strong plus and highly valued.

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $88,477.00$134,981.00. The base pay actually offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, and experience and take into account internal equity. Other forms of pay (e.g., bonus or long term incentive) may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered.

Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. We are making the dream of space travel a reality, delivering spaceflight at an unprecedented frequency, with the development of next generation space vehicles.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. Person (either a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident or a protected individual as defined 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or be able to obtain the required authorization from either the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The applicant must also not be included in the list of Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Virgin Galactic is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Virgin Galactic is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Virgin Galactic is committed to a Drug Free Workplace. All applicants post offer and active teammates are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies. This can include pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, and accident related drug and alcohol testing.

For individuals seeking employment at our Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport facility, employment is contingent upon you obtaining and maintaining a TSA authorized security badge. This includes initial and annual mandatory background checks that are governed by TSA, and conducted by the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport badging office.