Senior Simulation Engineer

Blue Origin LLC; Washington; On-site; USD 198,000 - 277,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Parental leave

Disability insurance

401(k)

Education support

Stock options

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

Blue Origin in Washington state seeks an experienced simulation engineer to advance physics-based models for high-reliability robotic systems. You will mature verification-grade assets, drive model credibility, and support ML/sensor/actuator simulations within ACE. A strong background in robotics simulation and Python/C++ is expected.

Join a team delivering scalable mobility and manipulation simulations, collaborating across generations of system concepts and verification strategies.

Qualifications

• 8+ years developing physics-based simulation and dynamic models for high-reliability or high-performance robotic systems (aerospace/space, autonomous vehicles, legged robots, industrial/warehouse automation, or similarly demanding domains)
• Strong dynamics and multibody modeling fundamentals: rigid/flexible body formulations, contact mechanics, actuator/sensor abstraction, numerical methods
• Proficiency with at least one major robotics/physics simulation platform (NVIDIA Isaac Sim/Isaac Lab, MuJoCo, Gazebo/gz-sim, Drake, Webots, PyBullet, or equivalent)
• Demonstrated ability to use simulation to drive decisions across the lifecycle: trade studies → design → verification
• Experience with simulation framework development (Python, C/C++) plus disciplined configuration management, automated testing, and verification practices
• Familiarity with control system concepts sufficient to implement and evaluate closed-loop simulations (stability, estimation, tuning)

Responsibilities

• Mature simulation models into verification-grade assets with configuration management, parameter governance, and automated regression
• Correlate models to hardware test data; drive system identification, parameter updates, and model credibility arguments
• Implement plant models, actuator dynamics, sensor models, and environment interactions within simulation frameworks for closed-loop analysis
• Define verification artifacts (test cases, scenario coverage, acceptance criteria, model credibility evidence) for mobility and manipulation domains
• Support anomaly resolution from lab through integrated testing via simulation replay and analysis
• Mentor junior engineers; establish best practices for simulation software quality

Skills

Dynamics modeling

Simulation-driven design

Mentoring

Education

B.S./M.S./Ph.D. in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical/Robotics

Tools

NVIDIA Isaac Sim

MuJoCo

Gazebo

Drake

Webots

PyBullet

ROS 2

MoveIt 2

Job description

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!This role is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin’s mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

Early Studies / Pre-Project Work (Architecture & Trades)

• Stand up and iterate dynamic models to evaluate system concepts, margins, and operational envelopes for locomotion and manipulation systems
• Build scenario-based simulation studies — wheeled/legged mobility, robotic manipulation — using physics engines (NVIDIA Isaac Sim, MuJoCo, Gazebo, Drake, or equivalent) to inform requirements and design decisions
• Develop contact and terra mechanics approaches at appropriate fidelity levels; quantify key sensitivities and uncertainties
• Provide simulation data products (control margins, sensitivity sweeps, operational envelopes) to support control architecture and actuator trades
• Produce model maturation plans, test-to-model correlation plans, and phased verification strategies (MIL → SIL → HIL)
• Generate synthetic data and simulation-based datasets to support ML, reinforcement learning, and sim-to-real transfer

Project Execution (Design, Implementation, Verification)

• Mature simulation models into verification-grade assets with configuration management, parameter governance, and automated regression
• Correlate models to hardware test data; drive system identification, parameter updates, and model credibility arguments
• Implement plant models, actuator dynamics, sensor models, and environment interactions within simulation frameworks for closed-loop analysis
• Define verification artifacts (test cases, scenario coverage, acceptance criteria, model credibility evidence) for mobility and manipulation domains
• Support anomaly resolution from lab through integrated testing via simulation replay and analysis
• Mentor junior engineers; establish best practices for simulation software quality

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years developing physics-based simulation and dynamic models for high-reliability or high-performance robotic systems (aerospace/space, autonomous vehicles, legged robots, industrial/warehouse automation, or similarly demanding domains)
• Strong dynamics and multibody modeling fundamentals: rigid/flexible body formulations, contact mechanics, actuator/sensor abstraction, numerical methods
• Proficiency with at least one major robotics/physics simulation platform (NVIDIA Isaac Sim/Isaac Lab, MuJoCo, Gazebo/gz-sim, Drake, Webots, PyBullet, or equivalent)
• Demonstrated ability to use simulation to drive decisions across the lifecycle: trade studies → design → verification
• Experience with simulation framework development (Python, C/C++) plus disciplined configuration management, automated testing, and verification practices
• Familiarity with control system concepts sufficient to implement and evaluate closed-loop simulations (stability, estimation, tuning)

Desired Qualifications

• B.S. (M.S./Ph.D. preferred) in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, Computer Science, Computational Science, or related field
• Hands‑on experience with NVIDIA Isaac Sim / Isaac Lab for robotics scenario simulation (locomotion, manipulation, repeatable environments, terrain/contact interaction, domain randomization, logging/analysis)
• Experience with MuJoCo, Drake, or Gazebo for dynamics modeling, RL policy training, or hardware-in-the-loop workflows
• Experience with ROS 2 / MoveIt 2 integration for manipulation planning and sim-to-real deployment
• Sim‑to‑real transfer experience: domain randomization, system identification, reality gap characterization
• Reinforcement learning or learning‑based control applied to locomotion or manipulation tasks
• Lunar or planetary surface terra mechanics experience (slip/traction modeling, sinkage/rolling resistance, slope handling)
• MIL/SIL/HIL verification experience and automated regression testing of simulation scenarios
• Experience correlating models to hardware test data (system identification, parameter estimation, model credibility frameworks)
• Experience applying modern software practices to modeling/simulation (CI/CD, automated tests, configuration/parameter management, containerized environments)

Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $197,529.00 - $276,539.55

Culture Statement Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training. Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical.

Benefits

• Medical
• dental
• vision
• basic and supplemental life insurance
• paid parental leave
• short and long-term disability
• 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%
• and an Education Support Program.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion.
• Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force.

Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities.

We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork.

We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law.

Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws.

For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affiantive Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

We’re committed to building the road to space so our children can build the future. We are a mission-driven company focused on ideas and innovation, and encourage fresh perspectives from bold voices.

At Blue, our team is building the future as their unique selves.

Thank you for your interest in working at Blue Origin!

Blue Origin was founded with a vision to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth. In order to preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes in the need to enable humanity to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space. Blue Origin believes it has an important role in building a road to space and lowering the cost of getting there. At Blue Origin, we’re working on this today by developing fully reusable launch vehicles and systems that are safe, reliable and affordable. Every launch vehicle is designed for human spaceflight from the beginning and able to ferry payloads to space.