# Senior Software Engineer, World Modeling & Simulation

**Company:** [Applied Intuition](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/applied-intuition)
**Location:** Ann Arbor, MI
**Role:** Fullstack Engineering
**Salary:** $120k – $160k/yr
**Experience:** 7+ years
**Skills:** C++, C++20, Python, Computational Geometry, Entity Component System, Spatial Indexing, Bvh, Octrees, K-D Trees, Simd, Template Metaprogramming
**Posted:** 2026-07-08

> Senior Software Engineer architecting high-performance world modeling, scene representation, and 4D spatial systems (Entity Component Systems, computational geometry, spatial data structures) at the core of an autonomy stack for multi-domain simulation and robotics. Requires 7+ years experience, expert C++20, and real-time systems expertise.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Architect World & Scene Representation Systems: Design and implement core spatial data structures, including Entity Component System frameworks, spatial indexing, occupancy representations, and 4D object management for large-scale multi-agent environments.
- Own Mapping & Geometry Pipelines: Build and optimize the computational geometry and world-state systems that sit between raw sensor data and the path planning stack — including coordinate frame management, spatial queries, and environment abstraction layers.
- Drive Performance to the Metal: Write highly optimized C++ (C++20) with a focus on low-latency, cache-efficient, and memory-conscious design. Profile hot paths, eliminate allocations, and optimize real-time performance of complex spatial systems.
- Lead Technical Strategy & Integration: Drive architectural decisions and design clean APIs that enable cross-domain integration across air, ground, and maritime autonomy stacks.
- Collaborate & Mentor: Act as a technical anchor across teams — engaging proactively with sensor, planning, and simulation engineers to ensure the scene layer meets the needs of the full autonomy stack.

## Requirements
- 7+ years of professional software engineering experience, with deep expertise in spatial systems, world modeling, or simulation environments.
- Expert-level C++ skills (C++20 or later), including template metaprogramming, move semantics, SIMD, and performance optimization at the systems level.
- Hands-on experience building world or scene representations — from a game engine, sim platform, or autonomous system — including managing dynamic object state, spatial indexing, and real-time updates.
- Strong background in computational geometry: coordinate transformations, spatial data structures (BVH, octrees, k-d trees), geometric algorithms, and collision/proximity systems.
- Deep intuition for low-latency, high-throughput software design in real-time environments.
- Strong proficiency in Python and shell scripting for tooling and automation.
- Experience with agentic coding tools (Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot) and AI-assisted development workflows.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen and hold or be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.
- Must be willing to travel as projects require (up to once a month for up to 1 week, ~20%).

## Nice-to-Haves
- Expertise with the Linux/Docker/C++ toolchains (including build systems like Nix and Bazel) and cross-compilation.
- Experience with temporal reasoning systems and 4D scene representation (space + time).
- Background in game development, simulation, or virtual environments.
- Knowledge of physics engines and collision detection systems.
- Understanding of autonomous systems or robotics software architectures.

## Compensation
- Base salary range: $120,000 - $160,000 USD annually (for the listed location).
- Total compensation package may also include equity, comprehensive health/dental/vision/life/disability insurance, 401k with employer match, learning/wellness stipends, and paid time off.

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