Robotics Simulation Engineer

About The Role What if the physics simulations you build could teach the next generation of robots how to walk, grasp, and navigate the real world? We're looking for Robotics Simulation Engineers in Zurich to design, build, and optimize high-fidelity physical simulations that bridge the gap between virtual environments and real-world robotic systems. Zurich is home to ETH Zurich and a world-leading concentration of robotics research talent. If you're part of this community — or have been shaped by it — and you're looking for flexible, high-impact contract work, this role is for you. You'll work at the intersection of robotics, physics, and software engineering — creating simulation pipelines that power robot learning, controls development, and hardware validation. This is a fully remote, flexible contract role. No corporate red tape — just meaningful, technical work on problems that matter. Type: Hourly ContractLocation: RemoteCommitment: 10–40 hours/week What You'll Do Design and implement high-fidelity robot models (URDF/MJCF) with accurate kinematics, dynamics, and contact propertiesBuild and maintain simulation environments using MuJoCo, NVIDIA Isaac Sim, and/or GazeboDevelop end-to-end simulation pipelines for robot training, testing, and validationTune physics parameters — friction, damping, inertia, actuator models — to maximize sim-to-real transferIntegrate simulations with ROS2 for perception, planning, and control workflowsWrite clean, performant code in Python and/or C++ to support simulation infrastructureCollaborate asynchronously with robotics researchers and engineers on model accuracy and environment designProfile and optimize simulation performance for large-scale or parallelized runsDocument simulation configurations, model parameters, and pipeline architecture Who You Are Strong hands-on experience with at least one major robotics simulator: MuJoCo, NVIDIA Isaac Sim, or GazeboProficient in Python and/or C++ in a robotics or scientific computing contextSolid understanding of rigid-body dynamics, contact mechanics, and control theoryExperience creating and validating robot models (URDF, MJCF, or SDF formats)Familiarity with ROS2 and its integration with simulation environmentsComfortable working with simulation pipelines — from environment setup to data collection and evaluationSelf-directed, detail-oriented, and effective when working independentlyStrong problem-solving instincts and a drive to close the sim-to-real gap Nice to Have Experience with domain randomization, sim-to-real transfer techniques, or reinforcement learning in simulationFamiliarity with GPU-accelerated simulation (e.g., Isaac Gym, MuJoCo MJX)Background in legged locomotion, manipulation, or multi-body systemsExperience with CI/CD for simulation testing and automated validationKnowledge of sensor simulation — cameras, LiDAR, IMUs, force/torque sensorsContributions to open-source robotics or simulation projectsGraduate-level coursework or research in robotics, controls, or computational physics Why Join Us Work on cutting-edge robotics simulation projects that directly impact how robots learn and performFully remote and flexible — work when and where you're most productiveFreelance autonomy with technically challenging, meaningful workCollaborate with a global community of robotics and AI professionalsGain exposure to state-of-the-art simulation frameworks and research-grade problemsPotential for ongoing work and contract extension as new projects launch