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Robotics Simulation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

1X

Software Engineer - Simulation

San Carlos, CA · On-site

Job Summary : 1X is building humanoid robots that assist in household chores, aiming to create a safe and efficient robotic solution for everyday tasks. The Software Engineer - Simulation will be ...

1X

Software Engineer - Simulation

San Carlos, CA · On-site

Job Summary : 1X is a company focused on building humanoid robots that assist with household tasks. They are seeking a Software Engineer - Simulation to develop and maintain simulation environments ...

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Robotics Simulation information

What is robotics simulation?

Robotics simulation is the use of computer software to model and test the behavior of robots in a virtual environment. This allows engineers and researchers to design, program, and optimize robots without needing physical prototypes, saving time and resources. Simulations can replicate real-world conditions, enabling the analysis of robot movement, sensor data, and task performance before implementation. Robotics simulation is commonly used in developing autonomous systems, industrial automation, and research applications.

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

To thrive as a Robotics Simulation Engineer, you need a strong background in robotics, computer science, and mathematics, often supported by a relevant degree such as electrical engineering or mechanical engineering. Familiarity with simulation tools like Gazebo, ROS (Robot Operating System), MATLAB/Simulink, and programming languages such as Python or C++ is essential. Problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are key soft skills that help in designing and refining complex simulation models. These abilities are crucial for creating accurate simulations that accelerate development, testing, and deployment of robotic systems.

What is the difference between Robotics Simulation vs Robotics Software Engineer?

AspectRobotics SimulationRobotics Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Robotics, Computer Science, or related; experience with simulation toolsBachelor's or higher in Computer Science, Robotics, or related; programming skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, simulation platforms, development teamsSoftware development teams, robotics companies, tech firms
Industry UsageTesting algorithms, virtual prototyping, system validationDeveloping robot control software, algorithms, and integration
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Robotics Simulation focuses on creating virtual environments to test and validate robotic systems, while Robotics Software Engineers develop the actual software that controls robots. Both roles often collaborate but serve different stages of robotics development, with simulation emphasizing testing and validation, and software engineering focusing on implementation and coding.

What are some typical challenges faced when working in robotics simulation, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in robotics simulation often encounter challenges such as accurately modeling real-world physics, ensuring simulation fidelity, and integrating with hardware or software systems. Addressing these requires a strong understanding of both robotics and simulation tools, as well as effective collaboration with engineers, software developers, and testers. Staying updated with advancements in simulation platforms and maintaining clear documentation are key strategies to overcome these challenges and ensure the simulations provide meaningful insights for development and testing.
What are popular job titles related to Robotics Simulation jobs in California? For Robotics Simulation jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Robotics Simulation jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Robotics Simulation jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Robotics Simulation jobs? Cities in California with the most Robotics Simulation job openings:
Robotics Simulation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Robotics Simulation job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.
Senior Simulation Engineer - Core Simulation Platform

Senior Simulation Engineer - Core Simulation Platform

Apptronik

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

$165K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 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
At the core of every robot policy we ship is a simulation platform that has to be fast enough for RL training, accurate enough for controls validation, and stable enough to be the team's daily driver. As Staff Simulation Engineer for Core Simulation Platform, you'll contribute to the architecture and development of that platform alongside senior team members, applying strong C++ and Python skills, robotics fundamentals, and modern simulator experience to keep the platform robust, performant, and parallel.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Contribute to the architecture and development of the core simulation platform - high-performance digital twins that serve as the foundation for policy training, controls validation, and CI/CD integration testing.
  • Help build and scale cloud-native simulation pipelines capable of generating millions of experience hours per day, parallelizing physics and rendering for rapid policy iteration.
  • Improve sim-to-real transfer through advanced contact models and actuator dynamics that help policies trained in simulation transfer to physical humanoid hardware.
  • Develop sensor-realistic environments (camera, LiDAR, depth) that challenge the perception stack with dynamic and diverse worlds.
  • Ship platform improvements that visibly reduce iteration time for RL, controls, and perception teams.
  • Work with Controls, AI Research, and Perception teams to support their evolving simulation needs as the platform grows.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS
  • Excellent C++ and/or Python programming skills
  • Familiar with software development best practices: CI/CD, automated testing, and code quality standards
  • Understanding of robotics concepts: kinematics, dynamics, controls, system identification
  • Experience with modern robotic simulators (Isaac Lab, MuJoCo, or equivalent)
  • Understanding of Reinforcement Learning with research or production experience
  • Experience with large-scale training workloads - deploying parallel simulations on cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) with distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Ray, Kubernetes)

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
  • Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
  • 5+ years of experience in robotic simulation, software 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

The annual salary range is $165,000 - $200,000.
*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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