Simulator Engineer I

Pratt & Miller Engineering•Huntersville, NC

About The Position

Pratt Miller is a product development company in motorsports, defense, and mobility industries providing clients with product engineering and low-volume production solutions. Our range of research & development, engineering, prototype manufacturing, test & validation, and low-rate production capability help our customers bring their high-quality products to market faster. The Motorsports Simulator Support Engineer will support the development, operation, and maintenance of world-class Driver-in-the-Loop (DiL) simulator systems for Pratt Miller Motorsports customers competing across a wide range of global racing series. This role works within a complex simulator environment involving motion cueing systems, driver immersion technologies, hardware/software integration, audio, image generation, display systems, custom cockpits, and hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) components. The ideal candidate will possess strong engineering fundamentals, a broad technical curiosity, and a passion for advancing simulator technologies. This position requires a collaborative mindset, strong analytical skills, and a drive for continuous improvement to support the rapid, high-performance environment of motorsports simulation.

Requirements

BS in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a comparable STEM field.
2-5 years in simulator support, systems engineering, controls, robotics, motorsports engineering, or similar technical domains.
Experience maintaining and developing XiL (DiL/HiL/SiL) simulator systems.
Working knowledge of MATLAB/Simulink, C++, C#, Python, or related programming environments.
Experience with Beckhoff TwinCAT, EtherCAT networks, CAN bus, or comparable industrial communication systems.
Strong analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team or independently as required.
Demonstrated drive for learning, continuous improvement, and staying current with emerging simulation technologies.
Proficiency with standard MS Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project).
Ability to perform hands-on work such as cable routing, hardware adjustments, or equipment troubleshooting.
Ability to support simulator system maintenance involving confined spaces or elevated platforms.

Responsibilities

Simulator Operation & Maintenance Operate and maintain Driver-in-the-Loop (DiL) simulator systems to ensure reliability and performance.
Execute routine electrical and mechanical maintenance schedules for simulator hardware.
Support troubleshooting efforts across motion systems, computing clusters, visualization components, and integrated subsystems.
Simulator Development & Workflow Optimization Assist with hardware and software development efforts to improve simulator functionality.
Identify and execute workflow automations to enhance operational efficiency and throughput.
Support system calibration, configuration updates, and continuous performance improvements.
User Support & Testing Operations Provide system familiarization for engineers, drivers, and simulation users.
Facilitate and manage testing sessions to ensure maximum efficiency, safety, and data quality.
Assist in documenting system behavior, issues, test results, and enhancement recommendations.
Collaboration & Technical Communication Communicate effectively with engineers, technicians, drivers, and project leads.
Prepare basic reports, findings, and recommendations related to simulator performance and testing.
Attendance at Pratt Miller meetings.
Ongoing education, training, and skill development aligned with simulation technologies.
Provide feedback on product needs, process improvements, and system enhancements.
Support Pratt Miller initiatives, marketing events, and general development activities.
Demonstrate strong work ethic, attention to detail, teamwork, and pride in work products.