Simulator Engineer

Company

Alaska Airlines

The Team

Guided by our purpose, core values, and leadership principles, we are creating an airline people love. Our corporate teams set the strategies and operational plans to ensure the success of our company. Whether we use our expertise in accounting, human resources, finance, planning, legal, marketing, or any of our operational divisions, our shared passion for travel and our guests is what motivates us to achieve excellence each day. If you share our passion for creating an airline people love, we want to hear from you.

Role Summary

The Simulator Engineer is responsible for 24/7 Flight Simulator Training Device (FSTD) engineering coverage and resolves complex FSTD discrepancies through troubleshooting and repair utilizing fault finding techniques. As an individual contributor, this role supports engineering activities for the FSTDs, allowing Alaska Airlines to meet its current and future training objectives.

Key Duties

Professional Level (P1)

• Assists with 24/7 Flight Simulator Training Device (FSTD) engineering coverage and supports / resolves FSTD discrepancies through troubleshooting and repair utilizing fault finding techniques.
• Partners with SIM Engineers in conducting regulatory compliance testing and preventative maintenance procedures.
• May assist in conducting training and technical assistance to other Sim Dept. personnel.
• Assists Engineers with FSTD modifications to meet current training needs, enhancing FTSD capability and reliability.
• Ensures the FSTDs are configured to reflect the Alaska fleet.
• Establishes simulator process improvements to reduce training interruptions, discrepancies, and down-time.
• Able to fly the simulated aircraft (FSTD).
• Supports preventative maintenance procedures and updates on the FSTDs.
• Utilizes existing computer-based tools and utilities to improve FSTD maintainability and availability of the FSTDs to overcome obsolescence maintenance issues or updates.
• Provides input into pre-flights and other testing of the FSTDs.

Professional Level (P2)

• Act as a subject matter expert to provide 24/7 Flight Simulator Training Device (FSTD) engineering coverage and support / resolves complex FSTD discrepancies through troubleshooting and repair utilizing fault-finding techniques.
• Conducts regulatory compliance testing and preventative maintenance procedures.
• Provide training and technical assistance to other Sim Dept. personnel.
• Assists Senior Engineers with FSTD modifications to meet current training needs, enhancing FTSD capability and reliability.
• With minimal direction from leadership, exercise considerable judgment to ensure the FSTDs are configured to reflect the Alaska fleet.
• Establishes simulator process improvements to reduce training interruptions, discrepancies, and downtime.
• Able to fly the simulated aircraft.
• Make recommendations with regard to preventative maintenance procedures and updates on the FSTDs.
• Utilizes existing computer-based tools and utilities to improve FSTD maintainability and availability of the FSTDs to overcome obsolescence maintenance issues or updates.
• Supports pre-flights and other testing of the FSTDs.

Senior Level (P3)

• As the lead subject matter expert, ensures the availability of Flight Simulator Training Devices (FSTDs) meet the requirements provided in 14CFR Part 60 and are configured to reflect the current (ASA) fleet.
• Supports the ASA, FAA-approved, 14 CFR Part 121 flight training program.
• Exercise considerable latitude and initiative to provide technical support to the department by applying engineering, experience, logic, reasoning, and ingenuity in a systematic effort to bring closure to complex problems.
• Make decisions on the evaluation of major updates to enhance and develop department technical infrastructure and capabilities.
• Reviews and supports other senior engineering team members to bring resolution to defined, complex training problems in a cost-effective and prompt manner.
• Advises on the repair and modification of existing hardware to overcome obsolescence.
• Interprets complex engineering data.
• Review initial simulator update concepts before implementation.
• Leverages knowledge and expertise in the following engineering areas:
  • Electronic engineering – addresses complex linear and digital circuits.
  • Software engineering – addresses complex software solutions across multiple platforms, utilizing multiple software languages.
  • Aeronautical engineering – understands and addresses the physics of aviation science.
  • Avionics engineering – addresses simulation concepts based on avionics interfacing.
  • Hydraulic and mechanical engineering – addresses closed-loop control systems and mechanical principles.
  • Visual database management - coordinates the description, labeling, logging, and organization of source data relevant to the design, requirements, construction, and review of visual databases.
  • Pilot – understands and addresses aircraft procedures, aircraft systems, flight principles, and handling characteristics.

Job-Specific Experience, Education & Skills

Professional Level (P1)

• Bachelor’s degree or an additional two years of simulator engineering experience in lieu of this degree.
• Understanding of electronic engineering with complex linear and digital circuits
• Working knowledge of aeronautical principles with the ability to identify root cause of Qualification Test Guide (QTG) issues.
• Competence in a selection of pilot skills for aircraft procedures, aircraft systems, flight principles, and aircraft/ simulator handling characteristics.
• Understanding of computer engineering, with hardware/software across two fields of knowledge, in addition to a thorough understanding of a single computer/simulator software operating system/language.
• Understanding of the compliance obligations of Part 60 based on the Quality Management System in place (QMS).
• Understanding of vendor drawings, including wiring diagrams, system diagrams, and complex aircraft data.
• Effective communication skills (e.g., verbal, written, and listening).
• Detailed oriented and highly organized, with ability to multi-task and work independently with limited guidance in a fast-paced environment.
• Minimum age of 18.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Professional Level (P2)

• 2 years of simulator engineering or related industry experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related discipline, or an additional 2 years of training or related experience instead of this degree.
• In-depth understanding of electronic engineering with complex linear and digital circuits.
• In-depth understanding of aeronautical knowledge and complex Qualification Test Guide issues (QTG).
• In-depth understanding of pilot skills for aircraft procedures, aircraft systems, flight principles, and aircraft/ simulator handling characteristics.
• In-depth understanding of computer engineering, with hardware/software knowledge across multiple platforms in addition to a thorough understanding of computer/simulator software operating systems and languages.
• Understanding of the compliance obligations of Part 60 based on the Quality Management System in place (QMS).
• Understanding of vendor drawings, including wiring diagrams, system diagrams, and complex aircraft data.
• Effective communication skills (e.g., verbal, written, and listening).
• Detailed oriented and highly organized, with the ability to multi-task and work independently with limited guidance in a fast-paced environment.

Professional Level (P3)

• 4 years of flight simulator engineering or related industry experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, or an additional 2 years of training or related experience in lieu of this degree.
• Ability and willingness to work in a 24/7 operation.
• Understanding of the following engineering areas:
  • Electronic Engineering - complex linear and digital circuits.
  • Aeronautical - complex qualification test guide issues (QTG).
  • Avionics Engineering - simulator concepts based on avionics interfacing.
  • Pilot - aircraft procedures, aircraft systems, flight principles, and handling characteristics.
  • Hydraulic/Mechanical Engineering - closed loop control, motion systems, and mechanical principles.
  • Computer Engineering – hardware/software knowledge across multiple platforms and software operating systems and languages.
• Working knowledge of visual image generators and visual display systems.
• Understanding of compliancy obligations of Part 60 based on the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Understanding of vendor drawings, including wiring diagrams, system diagrams, and complex aircraft data.
• Detailed understanding of FSTD software utilities.
• Ability to function effectively without assistance or direction and manage to work independently according to established policies and procedures.
• Ability and willingness to learn new engineering tasks beyond current skill level and to undertake new tasks without direction.
• Ability to find alternative solutions to overcome problems.
• Ability to implement complex hardware and software engineering updates to support configuration requirements.

Job-Specific Leadership Expectations

Embody our values to own safety, do the right thing, be caring and kind, and deliver performance.

Starting Rate

Salary Range

75250.00-173050.00 / year

Bonus

Pay Details

Seattle, WA

• P1 Associate Simulator Engineer - $75,250.00 - $105,350.00
• P2 Simulator Engineer - $91,200.00 - $136,800.00
• P3 Senior Simulator Engineer - $115,350.00 - $173,050.00

Salary Details

Pay will be based on multiple factors, including and not limited to location, relevant experience/level and skillset while balancing internal equity relative to other Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon employees. Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon is committed to fair, unbiased compensation along with competitive benefits in all locations in which we operate.

 

Note: We don’t typically hire at the top of the range.

Total Rewards

Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air pay and benefits can vary by company, location, number of regularly scheduled hours worked, length of employment, and employment status.

 

• Free stand-by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air
• Comprehensive well-being programs including medical, dental and vision benefits
• Generous 401k match program
• Quarterly and annual bonus plans
• Generous holiday and paid time off 

For more information about Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon Total Rewards please visit our career site and view benefits.

Regulatory Information

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement  

It is the policy of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment and to ensure equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and benefits of employment or potential employment.   

 

We also prohibit discrimination and harassment against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected categories.  

 

We have established an EEO Compliance Program under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 503”) and the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (“VEVRAA”).  All applicants and employees are treated without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. In addition, we have established an audit and reporting system to allow for effective measurement of its equal employment opportunity activities.   

 

To implement this policy, we will: 

 

(1) Recruit, hire, train and promote qualified persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and any other legally protected categories; (2) Ensure that employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements; and (3) Ensure that all personnel actions and employment activities such as compensation, benefits, promotions, layoffs, return from layoff, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air sponsored programs, and tuition assistance will be administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected categories. 

 

Employees and applicants for employment will not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination because they have engaged or may engage in (1) filing a complaint, (2) opposing any act or practice made unlawful by, or exercising any other right protected by, any Federal, State or local law requiring equal opportunity, including Section 503 and the equal opportunity provisions of VEVRAA, or (3) assisting or participating in any investigation, compliance evaluation, hearing, or any other activity related to the administration of any Federal, State or local law requiring equal opportunity, including Section 503 and the equal opportunity provisions  of VEVRAA. 

 

Government Contractor & Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT – regulations, 49 CFR part 40) and all applicants are advised that post-offer and/or pre-employment drug testing will be conducted to determine the presence of marijuana, cocaine, opioids, phencyclidine (PCP) and amphetamines or a metabolite of these drugs prior to any offer or employment or transfer into a safety-sensitive position. Failure to submit to testing or positive indications of drug use will render the applicant ineligible for employment with Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines/Horizon Air and any employment offer will be withdrawn. 

Apply by 7:00 PM Pacific Time on

10/2/2025

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt/Exempt

Employment Type

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Requisition Type

Management

Location

Seattle - Flight Training Cntr

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Y - T1

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