Simulation Modeling Engineer

About the role

We are seeking a Simulation Modeling Engineer to build high-fidelity, physics-based simulation environments for robotic systems. In this role, you will create digital representations of robotic workcells that allow engineering teams to test motion planning, controls, and system behavior before physical hardware is deployed. You will operate as an independent contributor, owning simulation asset development end-to-end while collaborating with mechanical, controls, and simulation engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage 3D asset pipelines, converting CAD designs into simulation-ready formats (URDF, SDF, MJCF, glTF, VTK)
• Import and configure robotic systems including robot arms, rails, conveyors, sensors, and end-effectors
• Create and optimize collision meshes using advanced techniques such as tetrahedral meshing
• Tune simulation assets to balance physical accuracy with performance efficiency
• Configure simulated sensors (cameras, depth sensors) with accurate parameters and field-of-view
• Validate models through scripting and automated checks (inertia, mesh integrity, textures)
• Verify kinematics (forward and inverse) against expected physical behavior
• Deliver high-quality simulation assets aligned with project timelines and requirements
• Drive best practices and consistency across modeling and simulation workflows

Day-to-Day Work

• Import new robotic station designs from CAD tools into simulation environments with accurate geometry and kinematics
• Convert and refine mesh assets for improved physics interactions and performance
• Build validation scripts to ensure model quality and physical correctness
• Support updates and enhancements to existing simulation environments

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional software development experience
• 1+ year of experience using 3D modeling tools (Blender, SolidWorks, Maya, or similar)
• Experience with robotics simulation formats such as URDF, SDF, or MJCF
• Familiarity with mesh processing techniques including decimation, convex decomposition, tetrahedral meshing, and collision modeling
• Strong understanding of rigid body kinematics, including joint types, coordinate frames, and forward/inverse kinematics
• Proficiency in Python for scripting, automation, and pipeline development
• Experience with at least one of the following: Game engines (Unreal, Unity), Physics engines (Drake, MuJoCo, Bullet, PhysX), Robotics simulation platforms (Gazebo, Isaac Sim)
• Ability to independently own and deliver technical work with minimal oversight

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with USD (Universal Scene Description)
• Familiarity with PBR materials, glTF workflows, and real-time rendering pipelines
• C++ experience, especially in simulation or performance-critical systems
• Experience with web-based 3D visualization tools (Three.js, WebGL)
• Understanding of simulation contact models and deformable body simulation
• Experience converting CAD formats (STEP, IGES) into simulation-ready assets
• Knowledge of camera modeling, including intrinsics, distortion, and synthetic data generation