SOFA/TIRREX Research Engineer (M/F)

Inria, the French national research institute for the digital sciences; France; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 55 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research institute in France seeks a Research Engineer to develop a mechanism for saving and reloading simulations in C++ and Python within the SOFA platform. The role involves collaboration with various partners on a national project in robotics, promising a stimulating environment at the intersection of academic research and open-source development.

Prestations

Public transport partially reimbursed

7 weeks’ annual leave and 10 days’ RTT

Possibility of teleworking and flexible working hours

Professional equipment available

Qualifications

• Fluent in French and good professional level in English.
• Experience with SOFA, ROS, or similar frameworks is a plus.
• Strong interest in numerical simulation and open-source development.

Responsabilités

• Design and develop a mechanism for saving and reloading simulations.
• Test and validate simulations to ensure reproducibility.
• Collaborate with project partners and community activities.

Connaissances

C++

Python

Git

CMake

Continuous Integration

Soft Robotics

Formation

Master's degree in a relevant field

Description du poste

Inria, the French national research institute for the digital sciences

Organisation/Company Inria, the French national research institute for the digital sciences Research Field Computer science Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Leading Researcher (R4) First Stage Researcher (R1) Established Researcher (R3) Country France Application Deadline 9 Dec 2025 - 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38.5 Offer Starting Date 1 Dec 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 2025-09537 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

This position is part of the national TIRREX (Technological Infrastructure for Robotics Research of Excellence) project, a nationally funded research infrastructure led by a consortium of several Inria teams and academic and industrial partners.

The work will be carried out in collaboration between the Inria DEFROST team (specialising in soft robotics and digital simulation) and the SOFA consortium, which brings together the main contributors to the development of the free SOFA software, an open-source interactive mechanical simulation platform.

The aim is to develop and integrate into SOFA a generic mechanism for saving and reloading an entire simulation, ensuring the reproducibility and robustness of the simulation environments used in robotics, reinforcement learning and design optimisation.

This development will result in an open-source software component (C++ and Python) integrated into the SOFA platform, accompanied by comprehensive documentation and application demonstrators (SofaGym, flexible robot design).

This position offers a stimulating work environment at the interface between academic research and open-source software development, within an internationally recognised ecosystem.

It will provide the opportunity to collaborate directly with the SOFA consortium teams, the TIRREX project partners, and researchers and engineers involved in the infrastructure.

The research engineer will join the Inria DEFROST team as part of the national TIRREX project, working closely with the SOFA consortium. His/her mission will consist of designing, developing and validating a generic mechanism for saving and reloading simulations in the SOFA open-source platform, in order to enhance the reproducibility and robustness of the environments used for robotics, reinforcement learning and optimisation. He or she will be responsible for software design in C++, the development of Python interfaces, the implementation of continuous integration tests, as well as the documentation and open-source transfer of developments. The position involves regular exchanges with TIRREX and SOFA partners, as well as occasional travel, the costs of which will be covered within the limits of the current scale.

Main activities

• Design and develop a mechanism for saving and reloading SOFA simulations in C++ and Python.
• Test, validate and guarantee the reproducibility of simulations via continuous integration protocols.
• Document the code and interfaces (user and developer guides).
• Disseminate open-source developments within the SOFA consortium and the TIRREX community.
• Present technical advances to project partners and at consortium meetings.

Additional activities

• Analyse user needs (research, robotics, reinforcement learning).
• Develop application demonstrators to illustrate the uses of the developed mechanism.
• Participate in community activities around SOFA (technical workshops, open-source exchanges).
• Excellent command of modern C++ (software architecture, memory management, templates, best practices).
• Good level of Python, particularly for developing scientific interfaces and scripts.
• Knowledge of collaborative development tools: Git, CMake, CI/CD.
• Familiarity with mechanical modelling or numerical simulation (FEM, multibody, soft robotics).
• Experience in open-source development or multi-platform environments (Linux/Windows).

Languages

• French: fluent (spoken and written).
• English: good professional level (reading/writing documentation, international technical exchanges).

Interpersonal skills

• Enjoy collaborative work and knowledge sharing.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of people (researchers, engineers, developers).
• Rigorous, independent and organised.
• Open-minded and scientifically curious.

Additional skills appreciated

• Experience with SOFA, ROS, or other simulation/robotics frameworks.
• Knowledge of reinforcement learning or numerical optimisation.
• Interest in open source software and good community development practices.
• Experience in technical writing or user training.

Specific Requirements

The position will suit someone who is curious, rigorous and passionate about numerical simulation and open-source development. At ease in a collaborative scientific environment, they will be able to communicate effectively with both researchers and engineers. A strong interest in software design in C++/Python, experimentation and the search for robust solutions will be essential. Autonomy, a sense of sharing and team spirit will be major assets in contributing effectively to the SOFA platform and the TIRREX project.

Additional Information

• Public transport partially reimbursed
• Leave: 7 weeks’ annual leave + 10 days’ RTT (full-time basis) + possibility of exceptional leave (e.g. sick children, moving house)
• Possibility of teleworking and flexible working hours
• Professional equipment available (videoconferencing, loan of IT equipment, etc.)