Simulation Realism Engineer Internship - Summer 2026

iMETALX • Sausalito, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Simulation Realism Engineer Intern, you will assist in the creation and enhancement of synthetic simulation environments that closely mimic real-world scenarios relevant to our ISAM and SDA missions. This internship will provide you with the unique chance to work alongside experienced engineers on projects that bridge the gap between simulation and reality, ensuring that our autonomy systems perform efficiently in the field.
Your contributions will involve working with various simulation tools and methodologies, developing realistic scenarios, and supporting our engineers in validating these simulations through rigorous testing. You will gain firsthand experience in applying theories learned in the classroom to real-world challenges at the frontier of space technology.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program (Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or related areas).
• Basic programming skills in Python and/or C++.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Interest in simulation technologies and robotics/autonomy systems.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability and willingness to work on-site in Sausalito, CA during the summer of 2026.

Nice To Haves

• Previous internship experience or coursework in simulation, modeling, or autonomous systems.
• Familiarity with simulation/graphics platforms (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity, Gazebo).
• An understanding of visual and sensor modeling.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with simulation development
• Support the design and implementation of synthetic scene generation pipelines
• Contribute to the creation of datasets for training and testing autonomy systems
• Analyzing and improving simulation realism
• Participate in identifying realism gaps and suggest metrics for improvement
• Help assist in building regression tests to maintain simulation fidelity
• Work closely with other interns and engineers to enhance tool usability and effectiveness

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern