HMS Simulation Framework Lead (R6397)

Location: Washington, D.C. — US
Mode: On-site
Level: Lead / Manager
Posted: Oct 28, 2026
Salary: $173k–$259k

You’ll apply on the company’s own site.

c++
python
simulation
linux
dds
distributed-systems
hil-sil-testing
defense-tech

Pay context

Lead / Manager Infrastructure roles on this board that post annual USD salaries: median $271k, middle half $235k–$313k, across 58 postings from 20 companies. The midpoint of this role's posted range sits about 20% below that median.

Hiring at Shield AI

196 open AI roles listed here · 49 added in the past 30 days · 7 remote.

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

As the Simulation Framework Lead, you will lead and mentor a team of simulation framework engineers responsible for building, extending, and maintaining the modeling and simulation (M&S) interface layers between core autonomy and various simulation backends (NGTS, AFSIM, Aechelon, HMSSimBlocks, and HMSF). Integration teams own program-level software integration; your team partners with and supports them by providing the framework, plugins, interfaces, and technical troubleshooting needed to resolve simulation-software integration issues. You will drive the strategic simulation roadmap for Hivemind Solutions. While continuing to support programs reliant on HMSSimBlocks today, you will partner closely with Hivemind Platform (HMP) as they transition from SimBlocks to the new Hivemind Simulation Framework (HMSF). You will act as the key advocate for HMS program requirements, drive feature inputs into HMP's HMSF product roadmap, and lay out a clear, phased migration path from HMSSimBlocks to HMSF across all HMS portfolios.

What You'll Do:

Lead, mentor, and grow a team of specialized C++ and Python simulation engineers. Set technical direction, conduct performance reviews, and foster high engineering rigor.

Collaborate directly with HMP engineering and product leadership to drive HMS program requirements into the Hivemind Simulation Framework (HMSF), ensuring HMSF accommodates complex DoD program needs, custom sensors, and multi-domain environments.

Architect and lay out the phased migration roadmap from HMSSimBlocks to HMSF, ensuring uninterrupted operational support for active programs using HMSSimBlocks while guiding teams toward HMSF adoption.

Oversee the design and maintenance of baseline simulation adapters, plugins, and interfaces for NGTS, AFSIM, Aechelon, HMSSimBlocks, and HMSF.

Align simulation frameworks with defense interface standards (e.g., GRID/JSE, CIGI, CSF, DDS), ensuring seamless interoperability across DoD-recognized threat and visual simulators.

Partner cross-functionally with HMS program leads, integration teams, and autonomy teams to ensure simulation environments accurately support hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing needs.

Champion developer enablement by providing standardized simulation templates, documentation, and framework support to downstream engineering teams.

Required Qualifications:

Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline and 7+ years of related experience (or 5+ years with a Master’s, or equivalent practical experience), including experience in technical leadership, team lead, or engineering management.

Deep software engineering background in C++ and Python within Linux environments.

Practical experience with modeling and simulation frameworks (such as AFSIM, NGTS, SimBlocks/HMSF, or similar) and distributed simulation middleware (DDS, DIS/HLA).

Proven ability to partner with platform/product teams (e.g., HMP) to influence external product roadmaps and drive program requirements upstream.

Demonstrated experience managing software platform migrations while maintaining operational stability for legacy systems.

Familiarity with defense simulation interface standards (GRID/JSE, CIGI, CSF) and network protocols (UDP/TCP).

Ability to obtain and maintain an active U.S. SECRET security clearance (U.S. citizenship required).

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Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

Apply at Shield AI

You’ll apply on the company’s own site.