Manager - Modeling and Simulation

At REGENT, we’re on a mission to revolutionize regional transportation between coastal cities. We're not just building vehicles, we're creating a new category of transportation: the seaglider. These groundbreaking wing-in-ground-effect craft travel just above the water’s surface, combining the speed of an airplane with the low operating costs of a boat. Capable of 180 miles at 180 mph on today's battery tech (and up to 400 miles with next-gen batteries), seagliders will unlock fast, affordable, and sustainable coastal transit for passengers and cargo - connecting cities, islands, and communities like never before.

Backed by leading investors and powered by a team of passionate, forward-thinking engineers, builders, and operators, we’re now scaling from a breakthrough prototype to full production - and building the team to make it happen.

Role Overview

Seagliders operate across multiple regimes—hull-borne, hydrofoiling, and wing-borne—each with its own dynamics, failure modes, and performance sensitivities. To design and certify vehicles that live in all three, we need trusted, high-fidelity simulations to design, test, and train with.

We’re seeking a Manager - Modeling & Simulation to own that mission. This role is both hands-on and leadership-focused: you will architect and build vehicle-level simulations, while leading a team, setting standards, mentoring engineers, and coordinating cross-functional work.

You’ll be responsible for delivering simulation environments and a growing digital twin of Viceroy and future platforms while building the tools and team that make simulation a core product asset at REGENT. If you like combining deep modeling work, system-level thinking, and team leadership to shape an entirely new mode of transportation, this is the role.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the Modeling & Simulation group through model design reviews, integration milestones, and validation campaigns.

• Develop and maintain multi-regime, 6-DoF simulations of the seaglider across hull-borne, hydrofoil, and wing-borne flight

• Own the MATLAB/Simulink-centric modeling stack

• Plan and execute SIL/PIL/HIL test campaigns, integrating real flight software and avionics hardware into the loop and automating scenario runs

• Use sea-trial and flight-test data to calibrate and correlate models, driving systematic model-versus-flight comparisons and tracking fidelity improvements over time.

• Build simulation capabilities that support vehicle sizing and design iteration, GNC and autonomy development, and software integration and testing, including HIL-based workflows.

• Partner with Systems Engineering and Certification to ensure models and tools can support requirements-based testing, safety analyses, and evidence generation.

• Grow and mentor the team, helping engineers develop deep domain expertise, good modeling habits, and strong communication skills.

What You’ll Bring

• Demonstrated experience leading modeling and simulation efforts for complex dynamic systems (aircraft, marine vehicles, robotics, or advanced mobility).

• Hands-on leader; comfortable owning models end-to-end, reviewing others’ work, and coaching the team while staying close to the technical details.

• Deep experience building and integrating mixed fidelity models in MATLAB/Simulink

• Proficiency in Python and/or C++ for data analysis, automation, and interfacing simulation frameworks; comfortable with git and modern software practices.

• Strong foundation in 6-DoF dynamics and control; familiarity with aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, ground effect, and/or hydrofoil behavior is a plus.

• Track record of validating models against test data, including parameter identification, uncertainty assessment, and iterative correlation.

• Experience with MIL/SIL/HIL environments, real-time simulation, and hardware interfacing (e.g., avionics, real controllers) is strongly preferred.

• Bonus: exposure to DO-178C/ARP4754A workflows, experience certifying vehicle simulators, iron birds, or unreal engine experience

Who We’re Looking For

• Collaborative System Thinker: You connect dots across disciplines and make sure simulations answer real questions for GNC, Autonomy, Systems, and Test—not just look impressive in isolation.

• Hands-On Technical Lead: You’re comfortable jumping into a Simulink model or Python script, but also know when to delegate, unblock, and protect the team’s focus.

• Pragmatic Modeler: You care about fidelity where it matters and simplicity where it doesn’t; you can explain tradeoffs clearly and align stakeholders on “good enough” for the decision at hand.

• Data-Driven and Curious: You’re energized by comparing simulation to reality, understanding mismatches, and using that feedback to sharpen both the models and the vehicle.

• Adaptable & Mission-Driven: You handle shifting priorities calmly, can pivot from long-term architecture to near-term test support, and are motivated by building safe, sustainable coastal transportation.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation, including a robust equity incentive plan.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance—we cover 100% of employee premiums.

• 401(k) with company match to help you plan for the future.

• Generous flexible time off, paid parental leave, and company-wide holiday breaks.

• Relocation assistance for candidates moving to join the team in Rhode Island.

• Daily, free catered lunches and a collaborative, hardware-rich waterfront workspace.

• Learning and professional development support, including conferences and training.

If you’re ready to build a high-impact modeling and simulation function, help bring a new vehicle category to life, and grow with a fast-moving team, we’d love to hear from you. Even if you don’t check every box, if you see yourself contributing to this mission, we encourage you to apply.

If you’re ready to take on an exciting challenge, grow with us, and make a lasting impact, we want to hear from you. Even if you don’t meet every requirement, but you see yourself contributing to our mission, we encourage you to apply! We value diverse skillsets and experiences and believe in the potential of passionate individuals to make a big impact.

Equal Opportunity Employer

REGENT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.