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Director Robotic Simulation Engineer Jobs in California

OpenAI

Lead Thermal Simulation Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$342K - $445K/yr

About the Team Our Robotics team is focused on unlocking general-purpose robotics and pushing ... have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following job duties, potentially ...

HammerheadAI

Simulation Engineer

Redwood City, CA · On-site

... or robotics). * Strong Programming Skills: Proficiency in Python, Go and/or C++ and experience with simulation frameworks or libraries. * Physics-Based Modeling: Strong understanding of first ...

Hammerhead AI

Simulation Engineer

Redwood City, CA · On-site

... or robotics). * Strong Programming Skills: Proficiency in Python, Go and/or C++ and experience with simulation frameworks or libraries. * Physics-Based Modeling: Strong understanding of first ...

Freeform

Simulation Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

SIMULATION ENGINEER Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware ... Experience with direct numerical simulation (DNS) models * Familiarity with solid mechanics ...

Freeform

Simulation Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

SIMULATION ENGINEER Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware ... Experience with direct numerical simulation (DNS) models * Familiarity with solid mechanics ...

Freeform

Simulation Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

SIMULATION ENGINEER Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware ... Experience with direct numerical simulation (DNS) models * Familiarity with solid mechanics ...

Astrolab

Lead Simulation Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$142K - $235K/yr

The lead simulation engineer will be responsible for directing the technical work of the simulation team, including development of the simulation infrastructure, vehicle models, and integration of ...

Astrolab

Lead Simulation Engineer

Hawthorne, CA

$142K - $235K/yr

The lead simulation engineer will be responsible for directing the technical work of the simulation team, including development of the simulation infrastructure, vehicle models, and integration of ...

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Director Robotic Simulation Engineer information

How does a Director Robotic Simulation Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams in the development process?

As a Director Robotic Simulation Engineer, you will frequently collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including software developers, mechanical engineers, and project managers, to ensure simulation models accurately reflect real-world performance. This role involves leading discussions to integrate simulation feedback into design iterations, coordinating with testing teams to validate results, and occasionally interfacing with clients for project updates. Strong communication skills and the ability to translate complex technical findings into actionable insights for other departments are essential. Regular meetings and collaborative platforms are commonly used to keep all stakeholders aligned throughout the development cycle.

What does a Director Robotic Simulation Engineer do?

A Director Robotic Simulation Engineer oversees the development and management of simulation environments for robotic systems. They lead teams in designing, testing, and optimizing virtual models to ensure robots perform effectively in real-world applications. This role involves strategic planning, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and integrating advanced technologies to improve simulation accuracy and efficiency. Their work is crucial for reducing costs, minimizing physical prototyping, and accelerating the deployment of robotic solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director Robotic Simulation Engineer?

To thrive as a Director Robotic Simulation Engineer, you need advanced expertise in robotics, computer science, and simulation modeling, often supported by a master's or Ph.D. in a related field. Proficiency with simulation software such as ROS, Gazebo, MATLAB/Simulink, and familiarity with programming languages like Python or C++ is essential. Leadership, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills are crucial for managing teams and collaborating across departments. These skills ensure the effective development, testing, and deployment of complex robotic systems in alignment with organizational goals.

What is the difference between Director Robotic Simulation Engineer vs Robotic Simulation Engineer?

AspectDirector Robotic Simulation EngineerRobotic Simulation Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Engineering, often with leadership experienceBachelor's or higher in Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentLeadership role overseeing teams and projectsHands-on technical role focused on simulation development
Employer & IndustryManufacturers, tech companies, R&D labsRobotics firms, research institutions, manufacturing

The main difference is that the Director Robotic Simulation Engineer holds a leadership position, managing teams and strategic projects, while the Robotic Simulation Engineer focuses on technical development and simulation tasks. Both roles require engineering expertise, but the director role emphasizes management and oversight.

What are the most commonly searched types of Robotic Simulation Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Robotic Simulation Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Robotic Simulation Engineer jobs in California? For Director Robotic Simulation Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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Director Robotic Simulation Engineer jobs near you

Lead Thermal Simulation Engineer

OpenAI

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$342K - $445K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

About the Team
Our Robotics team is focused on unlocking general-purpose robotics and pushing towards AGI-level intelligence in dynamic, real-world settings. Working across the entire model stack, we integrate cutting-edge hardware and software to explore a broad range of robotic form factors. We strive to seamlessly blend high-level AI capabilities with the constraints of physical systems to improve people's lives.
About the Role
We are seeking a lead thermal simulation engineer to help accelerate the design and development of next-generation robotic systems through modeling, simulation, and analysis. You will work closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, and robotics engineers to evaluate designs before hardware is built, identify risks early, and guide critical architecture decisions.
This role spans structural and thermal analysis and design across robotic subsystems including actuators, mechanisms, structures, electronics, and integrated systems. You will develop simulation workflows that improve engineering velocity, increase confidence in design decisions, and help us build more capable, reliable, and manufacturable robotic platforms.
This role is based in San Francisco, CA. This role will be expected to be in office 4 days per week and offer relocation assistance to new employees.
In this role, you will:
  • Perform thermal simulations to assess heat generation, cooling strategies, thermal interfaces, and system-level thermal performance
  • Partner with mechanical, electrical, and controls engineers to influence design decisions early in development
  • Build simulation models to evaluate robotic actuators, transmissions, mechanisms, structures, soft goods, and integrated assemblies
  • Correlate simulation results with physical testing and develop methodologies to improve model accuracy
  • Support architecture trade studies by evaluating design concepts before hardware is built
  • Develop simulation workflows, standards, and best practices that scale across the robotics organization
  • Identify technical risks and recommend design changes to improve performance, reliability, and manufacturability
  • Support root cause investigations by combining test data, failure analysis, and simulation results
  • Contribute to long-term simulation capabilities including multiphysics modeling, digital twins, and system-level analysis

You might thrive in this role if you:
  • Enjoy using first-principles engineering and simulation to solve complex multidisciplinary problems
  • Are comfortable operating in ambiguous environments where simulation and design helps guide architecture decisions rather than simply validate finished designs
  • Have strong intuition for mechanical systems and can connect simulation results to real-world hardware behavior
  • Balance modeling rigor with practical engineering judgment and development speed
  • Enjoy collaborating closely with hardware teams and influencing products from concept through deployment
Preferred qualifications:
  • Experience performing thermal simulation and design of complex electromechanical systems
  • Proficiency with commercial CAE tools such as Simcenter 3D, Abaqus, Ansys, Nastran, LS-DYNA, COMSOL, or equivalent platforms
  • Experience correlating simulation models with physical test data and validation campaigns for high volume products
  • Familiarity with robotic systems, actuators, mechanisms, power electronics, batteries, or other highly integrated hardware systems
  • Experience developing simulation methodologies, automation tools, or organization-wide thermal workflows

About OpenAI
OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core, and to achieve our mission, we must encompass and value the many different perspectives, voices, and experiences that form the full spectrum of humanity.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.
For additional information, please see OpenAI's Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.
Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law, and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, for US-based candidates. For unincorporated Los Angeles County workers: we reasonably believe that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: protect computer hardware entrusted to you from theft, loss or damage; return all computer hardware in your possession (including the data contained therein) upon termination of employment or end of assignment; and maintain the confidentiality of proprietary, confidential, and non-public information. In addition, job duties require access to secure and protected information technology systems and related data security obligations.
To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non-compliant, please submit a report through this form. No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this link.
OpenAI Global Applicant Privacy Policy
At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.

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