Simulation Engineer

Northwood is on a mission to transform connectivity between Earth and space. Satellites are only as powerful as the ground systems that connect to them - without that critical infrastructure, they can’t be steered or send their data back to Earth. Northwood’s global ground network ensures that missions ranging from national security, to global connectivity, to disaster response can unlock their full potential and operate every day without fail. We take a vertically integrated approach to building an end-to-end ground system, delivering technology that is scalable and reliable for both government and commercial customers.

Backed by over $100M from investors like Andreessen Horowitz, Washington Harbour Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, Founders Fund, and others, Northwood has proven its ability to move fast – we’ve stood up a fully operational site in Australia in just 3 months, where similar efforts typically take years.

Northwood is rapidly scaling its global footprint, with 30+ sites planned across 2026 and 2027. We’re building and deploying infrastructure at a pace the industry hasn’t seen before. If you thrive on building quickly, solving hard problems, and seeing your work deployed globally on critical missions, we want you at Northwood.

SIMULATION ENGINEER (GLOBAL GROUND/SATELLITE NETWORKS)

Northwood is building a global network of next-generation ground stations, and we’re looking for a Simulation Engineer to lead network architecting and modeling. You will own and develop analysis tools that enable insights into the network and planning of ground sites. You will answer questions such as “how many antennas should each site have to satisfy customer utilization?” And “where in the world should our next sites go?” You’ll partner closely with business development, sites rollout, RF, and software teams. This is a high leverage role that will guide the company's direction and our global network rollout. This position is based at our Los Angeles headquarters with possible travel to customer or ground station locations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and develop internal simulation tools to model, analyze, and visualize Northwood’s global ground network architecture.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with business development and customer stakeholders to translate mission requirements into scalable network designs and execution plans.

• Optimize network capacity, utilization, and site performance to maximize revenue generation and operational efficiency.

• Own critical network design decisions, including antenna count per site, coverage geometry, throughput sizing, fault-tolerance, and global deployment timing.

• Generate data-driven insights and communicate actionable plans to engineering and operations.

• Present network strategies, trade studies, and investment decisions to executive leadership, with clear linkage to revenue impact and deployment timelines.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, physics, or mathematics

• 3+ years of experience in a related field with a proven track record of executing projects and developing high-fidelity models and simulations

• Ability to code in Python, Java, C++, or other related languages

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with RF link budgets and orbital mechanics

• Proven ability to work across disciplines, with internal and/or external teams

• Solid understanding of the current space industry, technologies, and major players

• Basic understanding, or the ability to learn, optical fiber networks and protocols

• Solid fundamentals in engineering, physics, math or similar

• Proven experience building and testing software or hardware systems from scratch

• Strong ability to analyze and visualize large datasets

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to distill highly technical information

• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a security clearance

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Simulation Engineer/Level 2: $107,000 - $129,000 per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Northwood. You may also be eligible for equity in the form of stock options or other long-term incentives, as well as potential performance bonuses. We offer comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, generous paid time off, and various other perks and discounts.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Northwood Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.