Mid-Level, Senior
Airbus UpNext Spain – UAS Synthetic Environment & Sensor Simulation Engineer (m/f)
Job Description:
The UAS (Uncrewed Aerial Systems) Synthetic Environment & Sensor Simulation Engineer (M/F) position is within Airbus UpNext Spain, based in Getafe, starting ASAP. It consists of a limited contract linked to the delivery of the flight autonomy demonstrator, with an estimated completion date at the end of December 2028.
Airbus UpNext is looking for a Synthetic Environment & Sensor Simulation Engineer to develop the virtual environments, synthetic sensor models and automated scenario-generation capabilities required by the flight autonomy demonstrator.
The role will use synthetic environment and sensor simulation tools based on Unreal Engine as backbone to generate diverse environments, operational conditions and sensor data. These capabilities will support two main activities, the generation of fully synthetic and hybrid datasets for the offline training, benchmarking and validation of AI models, and the generation of procedural virtual worlds and synthetic sensor data for real-time testing of the Flight Autonomy system.
During real-time simulation, the simulation host will provide the ground-truth motion and state of the air vehicle. The synthetic-environment platform will use this information to generate synchronized sensor outputs and inject them into the autonomy system under test.
Should you find passion in constructing high-fidelity digital representations of reality and modeling sensor perception under rigorous real-time demands and integration challenges, this could be your designated boarding gate.
The Gig in a Nutshell:
Build the virtual worlds and physics-based sensor simulations that train and validate our flight autonomy systems. You will leverage Unreal Engine to generate synthetic datasets for AI training and feed real-time sensor data into hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test rigs.
Key Responsibilities
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Procedural Environments: Build dynamic, procedural virtual worlds (terrain, urban areas, weather, lighting, obstacles) using game engine technology.
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Dataset Generation: Create high-fidelity synthetic and hybrid datasets with precise ground-truth annotations (depth, segmentation, tracking) to train and benchmark perception algorithms.
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Sensor Modeling: Configure and validate physics-based sensor models (cameras, LiDAR, radar) that mimic real-world limitations, noise, and latency.
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Real-Time Integration & Automation: Connect simulated environments with real-time flight autonomy hardware. Build automated pipelines to run large-scale simulation campaigns locally or in the cloud.
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Cross-Team Collaboration: Translate algorithm and testing needs from the perception, safety, and flight-test teams into executable simulation scenarios.
Your Boarding Pass
What You Bring
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Simulation & Game Engines: Deep experience with Unreal Engine, Unity, NVIDIA Omniverse, or equivalent, including procedural scene generation.
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Physics-Based Sensor Modeling: Proven knowledge of modeling cameras (optical/IR), LiDAR, or radar, alongside physically based rendering (PBR).
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Data & ML Foundation: Familiarity with dataset annotation, ground-truth generation, domain randomization, and synthetic-to-real transfer techniques.
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Technical Stack: Strong programming skills in Python and C++, with experience using Linux, Docker, and distributed simulation architectures (ROS2/DDS).
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The Mindset: A proactive systems thinker who enjoys translating high-level flight test objectives into automated pipelines. You value transparency, adaptability, and speed.
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Willingness to have fun
What you get:
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Pivotal Role in a Strategic Mission and develop Critical Competences: play a key part in a project at the forefront of the development of technology to enable UAS flight and open the way for complex missions.
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Build Something that last: Your work will create high-value assets and learning contribution for Airbus’s future.
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Work on the Edge of Technology: Explore disruptive technologies at their limits.
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Agile and Empowering Environment: Thrive in a work culture that empowers you to act and think like a start-up while being supported by the strong expertise of Airbus. We value an eagerness to take initiative and propose efficient ways of working.
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A Great Team and Culture: Be part of a high-achieving, experienced and fun team in a shared open-space office with highly skilled colleagues. We are guided by the “Care for Each Other” value.
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The responsibilities and the technical scope of the job might evolve according to the agile working environment of the project, so being flexible is important.
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Flexibility & Fun: Enjoy the ability to craft your calendar ️ with flexible hours and the opportunity to work remotely, alongside regular UpNext community bonding events. And yes, we have complimentary freshly ground coffee ☕ and beverages 🥤
About Us & Values
Airbus UpNext empowers you to think and act like a startup, backed by the robust expertise of Airbus. In this role, you will embody our core DNA:
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#Speed of Execution: Moving fast, prioritizing fast experimentation and agility over paperwork.
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#Be Audacious: Welcoming challenges; constantly striving to push boundaries.
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#Be Simple: Finding the most efficient, pragmatic path to success.
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#Caring for Each Other & #Be Open to the World: Building a trustful team and expanding global partnerships.
This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.
Company: Airbus UpNext S.L.
Employment Type: Fixed term
Experience Level: Professional
Job Family: Vehicle Mission & Control
By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus. Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com.
At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.
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