Robotics Simulation Engineer II

ICON; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ICON is seeking a Robotics Simulation Engineer to join their Software team in Austin, TX. This full-time, onsite position involves building and maintaining high-fidelity simulation environments and developing physics-accurate models for robotics. Ideal candidates will have a Master's degree and 3+ years of experience in robotic simulation or dynamics modeling.

The role requires expertise in modern C++, Python, and familiarity with NVIDIA Isaac Sim or similar platforms, making it essential for supporting ICON's innovative robotic systems.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience in robotic simulation or dynamics modeling.
• Hands-on experience with NVIDIA Isaac Sim and comparable platforms.
• Experience integrating simulation into CI/CD workflows.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain high-fidelity simulation environments for robotics.
• Develop physics-accurate models validated against physical data.
• Integrate simulation environments into CI/CD pipelines.

Skills

Robotic simulation

Dynamics modeling

Modern C++ (17 or newer)

Python

NVIDIA Isaac Sim

Rigid body dynamics

Robotic arm kinematics

ROS 2

Education

Master's degree or higher in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field

Tools

NVIDIA Isaac Sim

Gazebo

MuJoCo

Webots

Job description

ICON is looking for a Robotics Simulation Engineer to join our Software team. As a Robotics Simulation Engineer, you will build and maintain high-fidelity simulation environments that accelerate the development, validation, and certification of ICON's robotic systems. You will be responsible for developing physics-accurate models of ICON's robotic platforms, bridging simulation and hardware to support a "test-as-you-fly" development paradigm, and contributing to shared kinematics and dynamics toolkits used across all ICON programs. This is a full-time, onsite role is based at ICON's Austin, TX headquarters and will report to the Director of Robotics.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build and maintain high-fidelity simulation environments for ICON's robotic systems.
• Develop and tune physics-accurate models of ICON's robotic platforms — including kinematics, dynamics, actuator behavior, and material interaction — validated against physical hardware test data.
• Own the sim-to-real gap: systematically measure and reduce discrepancies between simulation predictions and physical system behavior.
• Contribute to and maintain shared kinematics and dynamics libraries that are reused across ICON's robotic programs.
• Integrate simulation environments into CI/CD pipelines to enable automated regression testing of motion planning, control, and safety-critical software components.
• Collaborate with controls, perception, and mechatronics engineers to ensure simulated sensor models and environmental conditions are sufficient for algorithm validation.
• Participate in architecture decisions for the simulation layer and its interfaces to the broader software stack.
• Participate in design and code reviews to maintain consistency and high-quality output.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree or higher in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of professional experience in robotic simulation, dynamics modeling, or related robotics software development.
• Hands-on experience with NVIDIA Isaac Sim, Isaac Lab, or a comparable physics simulation platform (e.g., Gazebo, MuJoCo, Webots).
• Strong foundational understanding of rigid body dynamics, robotic arm kinematics (forward and inverse), and multi-body simulation.
• Proficiency in modern C++ (17 or newer) and Python within a professional robotics development environment.
• Experience integrating simulation environments into automated test and CI/CD workflows.
• Familiarity with robotics frameworks such as ROS 2 and their interaction with simulation backends.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience developing and tuning robot models and environments in physics-based simulators.
• Familiarity with physics-informed modeling, including actuator dynamics, joint compliance, and contact/friction modeling.
• Experience with sim-to-real transfer techniques and systematic approaches to quantifying and reducing the sim-to-real gap.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset; comfortable making data-driven decisions about model fidelity tradeoffs.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of performance.

ICON is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an innovative, inclusive, diverse and discrimination-free work environment. Employment with ICON is based on merit, competence, and qualifications. It is our policy to administer all personnel actions, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting employees, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Consistent with the obligations of these laws, ICON will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Furthermore, as a federal government contractor, the Company maintains an affirmative action program which furthers its commitment and complies with recordkeeping and reporting requirements under certain federal civil rights laws and regulations, including Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (as amended).

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