Systems and methods are provided for the configurable simulation of distributed systems, such as vehicle-based processing systems. Simulations may be performed in various modes in which the timing of operations is based on timing observed in real-world instances or other recorded processes. In one simulation mode, the execution times of individual tasks are aligned to those of a recorded process. Data consumed during the recorded process is also consumed during the corresponding portion of the simulation, and data generated during the simulation is associated with timing data from data generated during the recorded processes. In another simulation mode, data generated during the simulation is associated with timing data based on a statistical analysis of timing data from one or more recorded processes. The various simulation modes, and a production mode for real-word instances, may be provided via a unified application programming interface.