HHiring Reality
← Lodestar

Software Engineer I,II,III: Simulations

Lodestar
Location
Los Angeles, US
Posted
13 days ago
Department
Engineering
Salary
$99,000 - $133,000
What they actually want (must-haves)
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Aerospace, Robotics, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience
  • 0–2 years of professional experience in simulation, robotics, or games for Software Engineer I; 2–5 years for Software Engineer II; 6+ years for Software Engineer III
  • Working proficiency in C++ and Python
  • Exposure to ROS 2 in an academic, research, or professional setting
  • Understanding of multithreading fundamentals
  • Familiarity with 3D game engines (Unreal Engine or Unity)
Nice to have
  • Familiarity with orbital mechanics and Basilisk
  • Experience with physics engines and rigid-body dynamics
  • Sensor modelling experience across electro-optical, LIDAR, RADAR, or RF sensors
  • Experience with GPU rendering pipelines or CUDA
  • Exposure to robotics or space simulation frameworks such as Gazebo, Isaac Sim, Basilisk, or 42
What the job really is

As a Software Engineer at Lodestar, you will develop and maintain the simulation environment for the MITHRIL project, ensuring that all autonomy behaviors are validated before implementation. Your responsibilities will include creating high-fidelity sensor models, building test benches for flight software, and designing distributed services for running mission scenarios. You will collaborate closely with various teams to determine simulation needs and fidelity requirements.

Benefits
  • Entry-level salary range: $99,000 - $133,000
  • Developing-level salary range: $115,000 - $174,000
  • Career-level salary range: $136,000 - $200,000
  • Senior-level salary range: $175,000 - $250,000
  • Meaningful equity incentives as part of employee option pool
  • Flexible PTO with generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave
Things to weigh
  • No specific mention of remote work options
  • The role requires U.S. citizenship or eligibility for ITAR compliance
  • The technology stack includes Unreal Engine and ROS 2, which may be considered legacy by some
  • The position emphasizes an 'extreme ownership' culture, which may require a high level of responsibility and accountability from employees
Job score4.2/5
Benefits4/5
Freshness4/5
Career value4/5
Role clarity4/5
Pay transparency5/5

Applying to Lodestar?

See how your résumé matches this role — and tailor it from what actually gets interviews.