Simulation Engineer (Digital Twin)

Create the Ultimate Digital Sandbox

Imagine building a perfect, physics-based replica of an aircraft before it ever flies. We are looking for a creative and multi-talented engineer to build our aircraft's Digital Twin. This is not just a flight model; you will be creating a high-fidelity, virtual world that includes everything: the flight physics, the urban environment, and every sensor on board (cameras, LiDAR, radar, IMUs).

This is a unique, multi-disciplinary role for someone who loves to learn and wants to work at the intersection of aerospace, robotics, and computer graphics. You will be building the core simulation that our autonomous navigation and flight control teams will use to test and validate their code, running thousands of full missions before the first prototype takes off.

About The ePlane Company

The ePlane Company is at the forefront of India's urban air mobility revolution. Incubated at IIT Madras, we are a deep-tech startup dedicated to designing and building the world's most compact electric flying taxi. Our mission is to make door-to-door flying a reality, drastically reducing commute times and decongesting our cities for a cleaner, greener future. We're a passionate team of engineers, designers, and visionaries working on cutting-edge technology, and we're looking for brilliant minds to help us take flight.

Roles and Responsibilities

As a Simulation Engineer, you will be the architect of our virtual testbed. You will:

• Build the Digital Twin: Develop and maintain the definitive, multi-physics digital twin of our eVTOL aircraft, integrating models from all engineering teams.
• Model Flight Physics: Integrate and refine the 6-DOF (six-degree-of-freedom) flight dynamics models, aerodynamics, and propulsion systems to ensure realistic aircraft behavior.
• Develop High-Fidelity Sensor Models: This is a key task. You will create and integrate models for the complete sensor suite, including Cameras, LiDAR, Radar, IMUs, GPS/GNSS, and Air Data sensors.
• Model the Environment: Create and manage complex, realistic 3D simulation environments, including digital representations of urban areas, weather, and wind.
• Integrate All Systems: Develop interfaces for Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing, allowing our actual flight control and autonomous navigation code to run within your simulation.
• Run Mission Simulations: Design and execute comprehensive, end-to-end mission simulation scenarios to validate everything from basic flight stability to complex autonomous navigation in a cluttered city environment.

Required Qualifications (Must-Haves)

• Experience: 3+ years of hands-on experience in simulation development, robotics, or aerospace.
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace, Robotics, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• Python Expertise: Must have high proficiency in Python for scripting, integration, and data analysis.
• Strong C++ Skills: Strong programming fundamentals in C++ for performance-critical simulation components.
• Physics & Dynamics: Strong foundation in 6-DOF vehicle physics and dynamics.
• Simulation Platform Experience: Hands-on experience with at least one major simulation platform (e.g., NVIDIA Omniverse, AirSim, CARLA, Gazebo, Ansys STK, or similar).
• Robotics Framework: Proven experience with ROS (ROS/ROS2) for integrating and testing system components.
• Enthusiasm & Mindset: A multi-disciplinary, "builder" mindset with a deep curiosity for integrating aerodynamics, sensors, and autonomous software.

Preferred Qualifications (Good-to-Haves)

• Direct experience with NVIDIA Omniverse (Isaac Sim) or Ansys STK.
• Specific experience in modeling perception sensors (camera, LiDAR, radar).
• Familiarity with game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity (which power many modern simulators).
• Knowledge of aircraft modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink) for flight dynamics.
• Familiarity with avionics protocols (e.g., CAN, ARINC 429) and how to model them.
• A portfolio of personal projects in robotics or simulation.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work on a groundbreaking product that will redefine urban transportation.
• A dynamic, fast-paced, and collaborative work environment with a brilliant and passionate team.
• Competitive salary and benefits.
• A culture of innovation where your ideas can directly impact the future of flight.