Applied Scientist II

Amazon; Reading (MA); Hybrid; USD 143,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

RSUs

Sign-on bonus

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Amazon is seeking exceptional talent to develop the next generation of robotics systems for scalable automation. You will contribute to research bridging theory and practical implementation in dexterous manipulation, locomotion, and human-robot interaction.

The role emphasizes collaboration across simulation and robotics teams, robust C++/Python software, GPU programming, and experience with MuJoCo/Drake/Isaac Lab; a PhD or Master’s with 2+ years is expected.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s with 2+ years in CS/CE/ML or related field.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or C++, with GPU programming experience.
• Experience with robotics simulation environments such as MuJoCo, Newton, Drake and/or Isaac Lab.
• Solid foundation in numerical methods for multibody dynamics, FEM, MPM, or related areas.
• Experience in production-quality, collaborative codebases.
• Proficiency in linear algebra, differential equations, and numerical analysis.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with simulation and robotics experts to translate needs into scalable simulation solutions.
• Design and implement high-performance simulation modeling for rigid and deformable bodies.
• Identify bottlenecks in simulation pipelines for real-time and batch workflows.
• Contribute to validation and unit testing pipelines to ensure fidelity of results.
• Address sim-to-real gaps with modeling and numerical approximations.
• Stay current with advances in numerical methods, parallel computing, and GPUs.

Skills

Python

C++

GPU programming

Education

PhD or Master’s degree

Tools

MuJoCo

Newton

Drake

Isaac Lab

Job description

Job ID: 10520542 | Amazon.com Services LLC

Amazon is seeking exceptional talent to help develop the next generation of advanced robotics systems that will transform automation at Amazon's scale. We're building revolutionary robotic systems that combine cutting-edge AI, sophisticated control systems, and advanced mechanical design to create adaptable automation solutions capable of working safely alongside humans in dynamic environments. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of robotics and automation at an unprecedented scale, working with world-class teams pushing the boundaries of what's possible in robotic dexterous manipulation, locomotion, and human-robot interaction. This role presents an opportunity to shape the future of robotics through innovative applications of deep learning and large language models. At Amazon we leverage advanced robotics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to solve complex operational challenges at an unprecedented scale. Our fleet of robots operates across hundreds of facilities worldwide, working in sophisticated coordination to fulfill our mission of customer excellence. The ideal candidate will contribute to research that bridges the gap between theoretical advancement and practical implementation in robotics. You will be part of a team that's revolutionizing how robots learn, adapt, and interact with their environment. Join us in building the next generation of intelligent robotics systems that will transform the future of automation and human-robot collaboration.

Key job responsibilities

• Collaborate with simulation and robotics experts to translate physical modeling needs into robust, scalable, and maintainable simulation solutions.
• Design and implement high-performance simulation modeling and tools for rigid and deformable body simulation.
• Identify and optimize performance bottlenecks in simulation pipelines to support real-time and batch simulation workflows.
• Help build validation and unit testing pipelines to ensure correctness and physical fidelity of simulation results.
• Identify potential sources of sim-to-real gaps and propose modeling and numerical approximations to reduce them.
• Stay current with the latest advances in numerical methods, parallel computing, and GPU architectures, and incorporate them into our tools.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD, or Master's degree and 2+ years of CS, CE, ML or related field experience
• Strong programming skills in modern Python and/or C++ and experience with GPU programming (CUDA, Warp, or similar).
• Experience with robotics simulation environments such as MuJoCo, Newton, Drake and/or Isaac Lab.
• Expertise in one or more of the following: Solid foundation in numerical methods for multibody dynamics, frictional contact, Finite Element Method (FEM), Material Point Method (MPM) or other approaches for physics-based simulation.
• Experience implementing scientific or simulation software in a collaborative, production-quality codebase.
• Proficiency in linear algebra, differential equations, and numerical analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language
• Experience working effectively across cross-functional teams and partnering well with people at all levels within an organization
• PhD in simulation
• Experience in one or more of the following: bimanual manipulation, imitation learning for dexterous manipulation, reinforcement learning for locomotion, teleoperation systems for data collection

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, MA, N.Reading - 142,800.00 - 193,200.00 USD annually

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.