Senior Applied Scientist

Amazon Industrial Robotics 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.

We are seeking a Senior Simulation Applied Scientist to advance the state of the art in simulation for advanced robotics systems. This role blends research and practical engineering to develop novel simulation methodologies that accelerate robot development and reduce the simulation-to-reality gap, translating theoretical advances into real-world impact.

The ideal candidate will work at the intersection of theory and practice, contributing research that directly informs the deployment of real robotic systems. You will join a team that is redefining how robots learn, adapt, and interact with complex, real-world environments.

Key job responsibilities - Conduct research to advance simulation fidelity for contact-rich manipulation and locomotion - Develop novel methods for quantifying and minimizing simulation-to-reality gaps across design, safety, and control domains - Design scalable simulation solutions for rigid and deformable body dynamics - Develop simulation pipelines optimized for large-scale reinforcement learning training - Build frameworks for continuous simulation improvement using real-world deployment data - Collaborate with robotics engineers, applied scientists, and safety teams on simulation requirements and certification methodologies Basic Qualifications: - Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language - PhD in engineering, technology, computer science, machine learning, robotics, operations research, statistics, mathematics or equivalent quantitative field, or PhD and 4+ years of industry or academic research experience - Strong publication record in simulation, robotics, or computer graphics - Demonstrated ability to advance state of the art through novel research - Deep technical expertise in simulation for robotics, including rigid and deformable body dynamics, contact mechanics, numerical methods, computational geometry, camera and sensor simulation. - Experience developing simulation software for high-performance computing environments - Expert knowledge of major physics engines, including MuJoCo, Isaac Lab, Drake, Newton - Proven track record of bridging simulation and real-world robotic systems Preferred Qualifications: - Experience with reinforcement learning and training policies in simulation - Experience with differentiable simulation, learned simulation models, or neural physics engines - Background in contact-rich manipulation simulation - Knowledge of GPU-accelerated simulation, USD pipelines, and distributed computing (CUDA) - Experience deploying simulation-trained policies on real robotic hardware - Research leadership: leading projects from conception to publication and deployment - Contributions to open-source simulation tools or robotics frameworks

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 - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually