Engineer, Institute of Simulation and Training

University of Central Florida•Orlando, FL

About The Position

The Institute of Simulation and Training (IST) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) is seeking applicants for a full-time, 12-month non-tenure earning, associate scholar/scientist/engineer position which reports to the director of IST. We are searching for a Research Scientist with expertise in software engineering, visualization, immersive technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and computational science to support the design, development, and integration of next-generation visual simulations and intelligent systems. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team conducting applied research in simulation-based training, modeling, data analytics, and intelligent decision-support systems.

Requirements

Ph.D. degree from an accredited institution in Computer Science, M&S, Engineering, or a related discipline in modeling and simulation is required at time of application.

Nice To Haves

Strong programming skills in one or more of the following: C++, Python, C#, with experience in modern software engineering practices (version control, CI/CD, modular design).
Experience with distributed systems, GPU computing, or cloud-based simulation environments.
Knowledge of human-in-the-loop simulation, training effectiveness evaluation, or synthetic environments.
Experience in government or defense research environments.
Record of successful proposal writing and sponsored research funding.
Demonstrated experience in software development for simulation systems, high-performance computing, or AI-based applications.
Familiarity with simulation frameworks (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine, Paraview, Fluent, or similar visual simulation engines).
Experience with AI/ML tools and frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn).
Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary research teams and communicate complex concepts clearly.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and implement software architectures, frameworks, and prototypes for high-fidelity visual simulations and AI-enabled environments and applications.
Apply computational models, data-driven algorithms, and physics-based simulation methods to enhance realism and interactivity in diverse domain systems and applications.
Work with interdisciplinary teams including engineers, cognitive scientists, and domain experts to define research objectives, design experiments, and analyze results.
Provide technical guidance on software engineering best practices, simulation technologies, and computational frameworks.
Contribute to architecture design, performance optimization, and software verification and validation.
Create prototypes and capabilities demonstrators to showcase IST’s expertise aligned with trends and opportunities.
Manage the common labs and provide guidance on equipment and infrastructure acquisition and upgrades.
Contribute to or lead the preparation of grant proposals and technical reports for federal, state, and industry sponsors.
Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
Present technical results to sponsors, collaborators, and stakeholders.
Design and execute hands-on demonstrations and exhibits at strategic events.

Benefits

Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program.
Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.
Retirement savings options.
Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions.
Education assistance.
Flexible work environment.

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