Senior Robotics Simulation Engineer (f-m-d)
Aptiv · Wuppertal
Senior Robotics Simulation Engineer
We are Aptiv, a global technology company with 200,000 specialists in 48 countries. We develop innovative software and build the hardware that powers autonomous vehicles, advanced driver-assistance systems, connected mobility, and intelligent automation. Working with nearly every major automotive manufacturer, our technologies are already integrated into millions of vehicles worldwide.
As part of our expansion into Robotics, we are building next-generation Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Drone platforms for warehouse, industrial, and adjacent markets. To accelerate development and deployment, we are looking for a Senior Robotics Simulation Engineer to drive the creation of high-fidelity simulation environments, digital twins, and validation frameworks that enable rapid development, testing, and optimization of autonomous systems.
In this role, you will be responsible for developing scalable simulation infrastructure that allows robotics teams to collect synthetic data for AI model training, as well as validate perception, localization, planning, navigation, and control algorithms before deployment to real-world platforms. You will work closely with perception and hardware teams to bridge the gap between simulation and reality, enabling faster iteration cycles, improved safety, and robust system performance across multiple robot form factors.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and maintain high-fidelity simulation environments for AMRs and drone platforms using industry-standard tools such as Isaac Sim, Gazebo, ROS 2 and NVIDIA Omniverse.
- Build digital twins of warehouse, manufacturing, and industrial environments to support algorithm development, testing, and customer demonstrations.
- Develop simulation models for sensors including Radar, cameras, Lidar, IMUs, GPS, radar depth sensors with realistic environmental effects and noise profiles.
- Create automated validation and testing pipelines that support continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) of robotics software.
- Generate synthetic datasets for training and validation of AI, perception, and navigation algorithms.
- Develop tools and metrics to measure simulation fidelity and evaluate sim-to-real performance.
- Collaborate with autonomy and controls teams to validate perception, localization, mapping, planning, and motion-control algorithms at scale.
- Build large-scale scenario generation and regression testing frameworks to ensure safety and reliability under diverse operating conditions.
- Support Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), and Model-in-the-Loop (MIL) testing workflows.
- Partner with product and customer teams to reproduce field issues in simulation and accelerate root-cause analysis.
- Contribute to the overall simulation strategy and technology roadmap for Aptiv Robotics.
Required Qualifications
- MS or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
- 5+ years of experience developing simulation environments for robotics, autonomous systems, automotive, aerospace, or related domains.
- Strong programming skills in Python and C++.
- Hands-on experience with ROS 2 and modern robotics software architectures.
- Experience with robotics simulation platforms such as NVIDIA Isaac Sim, Omniverse, Gazebo, Webots, Unity, or Unreal Engine.
- Deep understanding of robotics fundamentals, including perception, localization, mapping, motion planning, controls, and sensor fusion.
- Experience developing models for robotic sensors and vehicle dynamics.
- Hands-on experience with Blender, 3D modeling tools, or CAD software for creating and preparing simulation assets.
- Familiarity with cloud-based simulation, distributed testing, and large-scale scenario execution.
- Strong debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with AMRs, drones, autonomous vehicles, or industrial robotics platforms.
- Knowledge of synthetic data generation for machine learning and computer vision applications.
- Experience with reinforcement learning, AI-driven simulation workflows, or digital twin technologies.
- Familiarity with GPU-accelerated simulation environments and NVIDIA robotics ecosystems.
- Experience building simulation frameworks used for safety-critical autonomous systems.
Traits we seek:
- Curiously investigate everything – ability to solving problems analytically, creatively and collaboratively
- Lead with confidence – thought leaders who empower those around them
- Learn by doing – an entrepreneurial mindset that’s driven by hands-on experimentation
- Embrace resilience – seeing every challenge as a learning opportunity and invitation to grow
Why join us?
You can grow at Aptiv. Aptiv provides an inclusive work environment where all individuals can grow and develop, regardless of gender, ethnicity or beliefs
You can have an impact. Safety is a core Aptiv value; we want a safer world for us and our children, one with: Zero fatalities, Zero injuries, Zero accidents
Aptiv Benefits:
Our working style: flexible work environment Learning, professional growth and development in a world-recognized international environment.
Access to internal & external training, coaching & certifications.
Recognition for innovation and excellence.
Opportunities to give back to the community
Apply today, and together let’s change tomorrow!
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Aptiv is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.