Senior Industrial Automation Simulation Specialist

Job DescriptionWe are seeking a skilled Simulation Engineer to lead the development of high-fidelity simulation environments for industrial robotic manipulators. The ideal candidate will architect simulation systems that validate robot motion planning, collision avoidance, and cycle time optimization before deployment to production manufacturing lines.This role bridges the gap between virtual validation and real-world industrial automation, enabling us to deliver innovative solutions with unparalleled efficiency.ResponsibilitiesArchitect and lead the design of complex simulation environments for robotic manipulators in Isaac Sim and other industry-standard platforms, focusing on accurate kinematics, dynamics, and gripper/end-effector interactions.Develop and validate motion planning algorithms, trajectory optimization, and path planning strategies for multi-axis industrial robots in simulated manufacturing cells.Own the simulation testing strategy – designing comprehensive experiment frameworks to validate manipulator behavior across varying payloads, reach envelopes, and cycle time requirements.Create digital twins of industrial workcells, including robot arms, fixtures, conveyors, and sensors, to enable virtual commissioning and offline programming.Drive automation initiatives by building and maintaining robust testing pipelines, integrating simulation seamlessly into CI/CD workflows, and establishing best practices for the team.Establish documentation standards and create technical specifications that enable knowledge sharing across engineering teams.Requirements and QualificationsTo be successful in this role, you must have:5+ years of professional experience in robotics simulation, with a specific focus on robotic manipulators and industrial automation.Hands-on experience programming and integrating industrial robots (KUKA, FANUC, ABB, Universal Robots, or similar) in production environments.Familiarity with industrial robot programming languages (KRL, RAPID, LS, URScript) and robot controller interfaces.Expert-level Python programming with proven ability to write maintainable, performant code for complex robotic systems.Deep expertise with ROS/ROS 2 architecture, including MoveIt for motion planning, custom node development, and system integration.Production experience with simulation platforms (Isaac Sim, Gazebo, or equivalent) for manipulator validation in real-world robotics projects.Strong theoretical foundation in manipulator kinematics (forward/inverse), dynamics, Jacobians, singularity analysis, and trajectory planning.Understanding of industrial automation concepts: PLC integration, safety systems, I/O protocols (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT).Proven track record of technical leadership with ability to make architectural decisions and influence engineering direction.Experience working in fast-paced startup or product-driven environments.Preferred SkillsWhile not required, experience with the following skills is highly desirable:Advanced 3D modeling and CAD skills (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Blender) including URDF/SDF creation for robot arms and tooling.Machine learning integration in simulation – reinforcement learning for manipulation tasks, sim-to-real transfer, or synthetic data generation for vision systems.Experience with force/torque control, compliant manipulation, or contact-rich assembly tasks.DevOps proficiency – Docker, Kubernetes, GitHub Actions for simulation deployments.Experience with cloud-based simulation infrastructure (AWS RoboMaker, Isaac Sim on cloud GPUs) and distributed computing for parallel testing.Track record of open-source contributions to robotics/manipulation projects.