Logistics Automation Process Simulation Supervisor (AMR Focus)

KUKA; Sterling Heights (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

KUKA seeks a Logistics Automation Process Simulation Supervisor to lead the engineering team building digital twins of AMR fleets in automated fulfillment centers. You will model fleet dynamics, charging strategies, navigation, and traffic management to validate throughput before physical deployment.

Join a cross‑functional team partnering with AMR vendors and software teams to translate simulation insights into actionable CapEx decisions and scalable operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering, or related field.
• 4+ years in logistics simulation engineering, with emphasis on mobile robotics (AMRs/AGVs).
• Proficiency in multi-agent and kinematics simulation tools (ANYLOGIC, Tecnomatix, FlexSim).
• Strong AMR fleet management understanding: localization, task allocation, spatial coordination.

Responsibilities

• Lead AMR simulation projects for large-scale fleets and grid-based storage systems.
• Optimize fleet dynamics, dispatching rules, pathfinding, and station configurations using simulation data.
• Identify and mitigate congestion, deadlocks, and charging bottlenecks in virtual models.
• Design and run stress tests for scaling fleets and failure modes.
• Collaborate with AMR vendors, WMS/WCS teams, and operations to align virtual and real constraints.
• Supervise simulation engineers and data analysts, manage timelines and tasks.
• Translate simulation results into actionable insights for CapEx and robot procurement.

Skills

Python

C++

Java

AnyLogic

FlexSim

Education

Bachelors in Industrial Engineering / Robotics / Supply Chain Engineering

Tools

AnyLogic

Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation

FlexSim

Visual Components

Job description

The Logistics Automation Process Simulation Supervisor leads the engineering team responsible for creating, testing, and optimizing digital twins of Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) fleets within automated fulfillment centers. This role focuses on virtually modeling fleet dynamics, navigation pathing, charging strategies, and traffic management to eliminate bottlenecks and validate throughput before physical AMR deployment.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead AMR Simulation Projects: Oversee the creation of high-fidelity simulation models specifically focused on large-scale, multi-agent AMR fleets and grid-based storage systems.
• Optimize Fleet Dynamics: Evaluate and fine-tune AMR dispatching rules, pathfinding algorithms, layout configurations, and pick/drop station configurations using simulation data.
• Traffic & Congestion Management: Identify and mitigate virtual deadlock scenarios, aisle congestion, and battery charging infrastructure bottlenecks.
• Scalability & Stress Testing: Design and execute "what-if" testing matrices for fleet scaling, sudden seasonal order spikes, and individual robot failure modes.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with AMR hardware vendors, software developers (WMS/WCS/Fleet Managers), and facility operations to align virtual models with real-world constraints.
• Team Leadership: Supervise a team of simulation engineers and data analysts, managing project timelines and assigning daily tasks.
• Executive Reporting: Translate complex simulation results into clear data visualizations to justify capital expenditure (CapEx) for robot procurement.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience: 4+ years of experience in logistics simulation engineering, with a heavy emphasis on mobile robotics, AGVs, or AMRs.
• Software Expertise: Advanced proficiency in simulation tools that support multi-agent and kinematics modeling (e.g., AnyLogic, Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation, FlexSim, Visual Components).
• AMR Knowledge: Strong understanding of AMR fleet management systems, localization/mapping concepts, task allocation logic, and spatial coordination.
• Technical Skills: Proficient in Python, C++, or Java for custom behavior scripting within simulation models.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience integrating simulation models with live vendor Fleet Management software via APIs.
• Familiarity with ROS (Robot Operating System) or VDA 5050 communication standards.

KUKA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.