Simulation Engineer

Simulation Engineers create virtual models. They take an image, idea, circumstance, or event, and bring it to life in a virtual world. You might plot out how a tsunami could hit a coastline, or demonstrate why a new aircraft design would be more efficient.

As a Simulation Engineer, you can work in almost every branch of science and manufacturing, and the skills that you bring to the table allow other Engineers and Scientists to see how their ideas and theories will look in the real world. You blend creativity, imagination, and attention to detail to bring forth vibrant, fully realized creations.

When you’re a Simulation Engineer, you do much more than just plugging ideas and figures into computers, though. You regularly interact with design and production teams to make sure your simulated design meets their specifications and needs. You need to lend your own eye for good construction to the project as well. Often, you’ll be called upon to help evaluate the feasibility of a given design, or look for ways to improve it.

Every person’s career trajectory is different. You can spend your entire career designing simulations for the same company in the same field, or you can constantly look for new and different ways to challenge your creativity and talent.

Forty-hour workweeks are the standard for this job. Depending on the field and deadlines, you may need to put in overtime regularly or infrequently. Either way, your skills will be rare and in demand, so you’ll be a critical and valued member of the team.