Airbus Upnext Spain - UAS Simulation & Virtual Engineering Lead (m/f) - Remote Eligible

Simulation & Virtual Engineering Lead

Location: Getafe (Madrid), Spain

Duration of the Contract: Limited contract linked to the deliverable of the demonstrator (end of December 2028), starting ASAP.

At Airbus UpNext, we fly future technologies at speed. We aren't interested in the status quo; we're building a new demonstrator that will enable safe, autonomous UAS operations in the world's most challenging environments.

Your mission? To build the "Matrix" for our aircraft. You will define and lead the Simulation and Virtual Engineering ecosystem, creating high-fidelity, distributed environments where autonomy functions are born, tested, and perfected long before they ever touch the runway.

Your Mission: The Master of Virtual Realities

As the Simulation & Virtual Engineering Lead, you are the architect of digital continuity. You will bridge the gap between abstract models and real-time flight data, ensuring that our virtual testing is so accurate that flight tests become a mere formality.

What You'll Own:

• Distributed Virtual Engineering: You'll design a scalable simulation ecosystem (SIL, HIL, Hybrid) where simulators and real hardware operate in perfect harmony using standards like HLA, DDS, or ARINC 610.
• LVC (Live, Virtual, Constructive): You'll lead the charge in combining real systems with high-fidelity "constructive" entities, allowing crewed and uncrewed assets to interact in complex mission scenarios.
• Model-Based Mastery: Utilizing Simulink, you'll ensure a seamless flow from system design to auto-generated embedded code—maintaining total digital continuity.
• The "Digital Twin" Backbone: Oversee the development of high-fidelity models for flight dynamics, propulsion, and sensors, ensuring they behave exactly like their physical counterparts.
• Observability & Insight: You'll build the "Dashboard of Truth," integrating telemetry and onboard data streams using tools like Grafana and InfluxDB to provide real-time visibility into system behavior.
• CI/CD Simulation Toolchain: Own the infrastructure that orchestrates massive simulation workloads, ensuring every line of code is automatically validated across MIL, SIL, and PIL environments.

Your Boarding Pass

• The Simulation Architect: Deep expertise in distributed frameworks and real-time simulation architectures.
• Model-Based Pro: Expert-level experience with Simulink and auto-code generation for embedded systems.
• Systems Thinker: Proven ability to model complex physical systems (GNC, actuators, sensors) and integrate them into RTOS-based environments.
• Network Savvy: Solid knowledge of IP networking, synchronization, and latency management across interconnected systems.
• Leadership & Vision: A background in leading multidisciplinary teams and translating high-level objectives into a concrete technical roadmap.
• The UpNext Mindset: An "impatience for results," a healthy skepticism for slow progress, and a burning desire to attain goals rapidly in an agile environment.

Why Join the UpNext Crew?

• ? Frontier Technology: Work at the absolute edge of UAS autonomy and simulation-driven V&V strategy.
• ? Legacy Assets: Your virtual environments will become high-value assets that shape how Airbus designs and certifies aircraft for years to come.
• ? Startup Soul, Global Muscle: Benefit from the fast-paced, "test-and-fail-fast" culture of a startup, backed by the legendary expertise of Airbus.
• ? Elite Culture: Join a high-achieving, fun-loving team in Getafe that lives by the "Care for Each Other" value.
• Work-Life Harmony: Design your own calendar with flexible hours and remote work options.
• The Fuel: Stay sharp with complimentary freshly ground coffee, premium beverages, and regular community bonding events.

In our agile world, the technical scope will evolve as the demonstrator takes shape. We need a leader who is ready to step out of their comfort zone, take initiative, and have fun while disrupting an industry.

Ready to build the virtual future of flight? Apply now.