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Robotics Simulation Jobs in Santa Clara, CA (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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Robotics Simulation information

See Santa Clara, CA salary details

$12.9K

$79.4K

$142.7K

How much do robotics simulation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for robotics simulation in Santa Clara, CA is $79,393.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,700.00 and $93,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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?

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 cities near Santa Clara, CA are hiring for Robotics Simulation jobs? Cities near Santa Clara, CA with the most Robotics Simulation job openings:
Infographic showing various Robotics Simulation job openings in Santa Clara, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,393 per year, or $38.2 per hour.

Senior Robotics Simulation Software Engineer - Special Projects

Apple

Cupertino, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Apple rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 677 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 30 rated technology retailers


Job description

Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other's ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It's the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you'll do more than join something - you'll add something
As an engineer in the Special Projects group, you will have an opportunity to be part of an innovation-focused organization within Apple that is exploring overlapping space between simulation and AI/ML. You will be able to work on highly ambitious, high-reward, and impactful projects in the early stages of development. This team has a strong focus on shipping simulation technology in service of AI/ML projects. We use both traditional and generative AI techniques in simulation. Our ideal team member is fearless when it comes to trying new things and is willing to iterate on ideas. We value team members who can quickly prototype, iterating all the way to high-quality implementations. Moreover, we value team members who can collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams across the organization.
Description
As a member of this team, you will use your background to:
*Develop the core simulation engine with emphasis on robotics and physics simulation
*Integrate simulation software with robotics algorithms
*Design, implement and integrate sensor simulation and dynamics modeling for realistic robot simulation
*Develop sim-to-real transfer techniques to bridge the gap between simulated and real-world robot behavior
*Profile and optimize simulation engine for high-throughput RL training workloads
*Design and implement reinforcement learning environments and training pipelines for robotic systems
Minimum Qualifications
Strong C++ development experience and Python experience
Strong software engineering skills and practices in terms of performance and code quality
Solid background in robotics fundamentals: perception, planning, kinematics, dynamics, control systems
Familiarity with reinforcement learning, including policy optimization, model-based RL, and sim-to-real techniques
Experience with physics simulation engines (e.g., MuJoCo, Isaac Sim, PyBullet, or similar)
Excellent collaboration skills: strong verbal and written communication skills.
BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field, or 3+ years of equivalent experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with GPU-accelerated simulation and parallel RL training
Experience with robot learning frameworks (e.g., Stable Baselines, RLlib, or custom implementations)
Experience with GPU based computing
Experience with sensor simulation
Experience with traditional and ML-based simulation and rendering systems
Experience with 3D rendering engine internals: geometry pipelines, shaders, materials, etc.

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976