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Freelance Robotic Simulation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Skild AI

Simulation Engineer

San Mateo, CA

Position Overview We are seeking talented simulation engineers to create expansive simulated worlds to scale up robotic experience. You will have a dual focus: designing high-level virtual ...

Hitachi, Ltd.

Simulation Engineer

Holland, MI · On-site

Join us as a Simulation Engineer in Holland, MI or Lake Orion, MI as we work together to bring ... Perform robotic reach & cycle time studies. * Perform system throughput studies. * Work with the ...

Hitachi

Simulation Engineer

Lake Orion, MI · On-site +1

Join us as a Simulation Engineer in Holland, MI or Lake Orion, MI as we work together to bring ... Perform robotic reach & cycle time studies. * Perform system throughput studies. * Work with the ...

Hitachi

Simulation Engineer

Lake Orion, MI · On-site +1

Join us as a Simulation Engineer in Holland, MI or Lake Orion, MI as we work together to bring ... Perform robotic reach & cycle time studies. * Perform system throughput studies. * Work with the ...

Hitachi, Ltd.

Simulation Engineer

Holland, MI · On-site

Join us as a Simulation Engineer in Holland, MI or Lake Orion, MI as we work together to bring ... Perform robotic reach & cycle time studies. * Perform system throughput studies. * Work with the ...

Hitachi

Simulation Engineer

Holland, MI · On-site +1

Join us as a Simulation Engineer in Holland, MI or Lake Orion, MI as we work together to bring ... Perform robotic reach & cycle time studies. * Perform system throughput studies. * Work with the ...

Hitachi, Ltd.

Simulation Engineer

Lake Orion, MI · On-site

Join us as a Simulation Engineer in Holland, MI or Lake Orion, MI as we work together to bring ... Perform robotic reach & cycle time studies. * Perform system throughput studies. * Work with the ...

Hitachi

Simulation Engineer

Lake Orion, MI · On-site +1

Join us as a Simulation Engineer in Holland, MI or Lake Orion, MI as we work together to bring ... Perform robotic reach & cycle time studies. * Perform system throughput studies. * Work with the ...

Hitachi

Simulation Engineer

Holland, MI · On-site +1

Join us as a Simulation Engineer in Holland, MI or Lake Orion, MI as we work together to bring ... Perform robotic reach & cycle time studies. * Perform system throughput studies. * Work with the ...

Hitachi

Simulation Engineer

Holland, MI · On-site +1

Join us as a Simulation Engineer in Holland, MI or Lake Orion, MI as we work together to bring ... Perform robotic reach & cycle time studies. * Perform system throughput studies. * Work with the ...

Mytra

Senior Robotics Simulation Engineer

Brisbane, CA · On-site

$190K - $200K/yr

We seek a Senior/Staff Simulation Engineer to build and own the simulation platform for the entire robotics software stack. This simulation system must accurately model our structured-grid robots ...

Venteon

Manufacturing Simulation Engineer

Troy, MI · On-site

$65/hr

Knowledge and experience in CAD Design, PLC/Robot programming, and/or electrical design ... Duties of the Manufacturing Simulation Engineer: * Develop and validate digital models of automated ...

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How much do freelance robotic simulation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance robotic simulation engineer in the United States is $105,605.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Freelance Robotic Simulation Engineers when working with diverse client projects?

Freelance Robotic Simulation Engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting quickly to different simulation platforms, ensuring compatibility with various robot hardware, and meeting tight project deadlines. Each client may use unique software tools or have specific workflow requirements, so the ability to learn and integrate new systems efficiently is essential. Additionally, clear communication and regular updates are vital when collaborating remotely with multidisciplinary teams to align simulation outcomes with client expectations.

What does a Freelance Robotic Simulation Engineer do?

A Freelance Robotic Simulation Engineer designs, develops, and tests virtual models of robotic systems using specialized simulation software. Their work helps companies visualize, optimize, and troubleshoot robotic processes before physical implementation, saving time and resources. They typically collaborate remotely with clients in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and automation to create accurate simulations, analyze performance, and provide technical recommendations. As freelancers, they manage multiple projects and are responsible for their own schedules and client communications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Robotic Simulation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Robotic Simulation Engineer, you need strong proficiency in robotics principles, simulation modeling, and programming languages such as Python or C++, often backed by a degree in engineering or computer science. Expertise with simulation platforms like ROS (Robot Operating System), Gazebo, or MATLAB/Simulink, and relevant certifications, are typically required. Excellent problem-solving, project management, and communication skills help you deliver effective solutions and collaborate with diverse clients. These skills ensure accurate simulations, successful project outcomes, and sustained client satisfaction in a competitive, technology-driven field.
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Freelance Robotic Simulation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Robotic Simulation Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, and 2% Part Time. Highlights an 77% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,605 per year, or $50.8 per hour.
Staff Simulation Engineer - Dexterity

Staff Simulation Engineer - Dexterity

Apptronik

Austin, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.
We operate at the cutting edge of embodied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.
JOB SUMMARY
We are seeking a Staff Simulation Engineer to be the sole owner of dexterous hand simulation at Apptronik.
This is a high-autonomy, high-impact individual contributor role. You will define how hands are represented in simulation - from contact geometry and physics fidelity all the way through sim-to-real validation - and you will be the authoritative technical voice across Mechanical Design, Controls, and Hardware whenever simulation of the hand is in scope. There is no team beneath you, but your work directly unblocks multiple teams.
Core mandate: make simulation a reliable predictor of physical hand behavior, and own that standard end-to-end.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Contact Dynamics & Physics Fidelity: Own the accuracy of contact simulation for high-DOF robotic hands. Model and tune contact parameters - stiffness, damping, friction, restitution - against real hardware measurements. Develop and maintain hand-specific collision geometry (primitive decomposition, mesh optimization) to ensure simulation contact behavior matches physical interaction.
Sim-to-Real Validation: Design and execute systematic sim-to-real validation workflows. Run side-by-side comparisons of grasping stability, fingertip contact forces, and joint behavior between simulation and hardware. Drive iterative parameter calibration using real sensor data - encoders, F/T sensors, tactile arrays - until simulation predictions are quantifiably reliable
Sensor & Actuator Modeling: Build accurate models of the hand's sensing and actuation systems within simulation - including tactile sensor response, actuator dynamics (compliance, backlash), and encoder noise characteristics.
Evaluation Scene Construction: Design and implement evaluation environments and dexterity benchmarks in Isaac Lab / Isaac Sim. Own the physical property modeling - contact materials, object mass/inertia, surface textures - required for high-fidelity task simulation.
Asset Pipeline: Contribute to CAD-to-USD conversion workflows as needed - collision mesh generation, joint limit extraction, kinematic parameter import. This is infrastructure support, not a primary focus.
SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS
Must-Have
  • 4+ years of hands-on robotic simulation experience (Senior); 7+ years (Staff)
  • Experience with robotic hands or high-DOF manipulators
  • Demonstrated experience with contact-rich simulation - not just kinematics and trajectory playback
  • Experience with physics parameter identification (sysid) or domain randomization pipelines
  • Proven ability to operate as a domain owner: setting technical direction, making independent architectural decisions, and driving cross-functional alignment through expertise
  • Strong Python skills; C++ a plus
  • Solid fundamentals: rigid body dynamics, contact mechanics, collision geometry, spatial math
  • Hardware-grounded: experience running sim-to-real comparisons with real sensor data
Nice-to-Have
  • Deep working knowledge of Isaac Sim, MuJoCo, or equivalent modern robotics simulator
  • Familiarity with tactile sensing or F/T sensor integration in simulation
  • USD proficiency: composition arcs, layers, stages
  • Background in teleoperation or motion retargeting

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
  • MS or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related fields.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
  • Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
  • Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
  • Hearing and speech to communicate

*This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.
Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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