Staff Software Engineer – Robotics, Simulation

General Motors

. Build and own the simulation environment for manipulation, perception, and navigation validation .

Posted 11/2/2026full-timeMountain View • California • United StatesLead💰 $160,200 - $290,700 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in robotics simulation, including building and validating simulation environments, sensor modeling, and integration with CI processes. Proficient in C++ and Python, with a strong understanding of dynamics, kinematics, and simulation fidelity.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Robotics Simulation ExperienceC++ ProgrammingPython ProgrammingSensor SimulationDigital Twin Projects

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Robotics SimulationRigid Body DynamicsContact ModelingNumerical IntegrationGPU-Accelerated SimulationURDFSDFUSDSimulation-to-Real TransferDomain Randomization

Soft Skills

Effective Remote CollaborationProduct Mindset

Tools & Technologies

Process SimulateIsaac SimGazeboVisual Components

Certifications & Qualifications

M.S. Degree in RoboticsM.S. Degree in Computer ScienceM.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Industry Keywords

Simulation ValidationVirtual CommissioningDigital TwinAI Data GenerationCollaborative Authoring

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PythonC++

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Build and own the simulation environment for manipulation, perception, and navigation validation
Model robot platforms with physically accurate dynamics, kinematics, and actuation
Implement realistic sensor models for RGB-D cameras, LiDAR, and other supported sensors
Build scene and facility authoring tooling, including CAD and existing plant-model import paths
Integrate simulation into CI so scenario coverage runs on every release candidate
Support the AI team with simulation for data generation and policy evaluation
Drive the virtual commissioning and digital twin roadmap, including workcell import and collaborative authoring
Quantify and document where simulation diverges from hardware so results are used with known confidence
Operate between core robotics development and the test organization
Drive validation before hardware is involved

Requirements

What you’ll need

6+ years of professional software engineering experience
4+ years building or operating robotics simulation
Experience validating real robot behavior against simulation and closing the gap
Experience supporting other teams as an infrastructure owner
M.S. degree or higher in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related technical field; equivalent industry experience with demonstrated simulation depth can be considered
Hands-on experience with a commercial or open-source simulator, including Process Simulate, Isaac Sim, Gazebo, or comparable tools
Strong understanding of rigid body dynamics, contact modeling, and numerical integration
Experience with sensor simulation and rendering, including LiDAR and depth camera models
Experience with GPU-accelerated or parallel simulation for large-scale data generation
Experience with URDF, SDF, USD, and their conversion pitfalls
Proficiency in C++ and Python
Ability to judge the fidelity required for a validation question
Willingness to state when a simulation result should not be trusted
Comfort trading simulation speed against accuracy
Ability to work effectively with remote teams across multiple time zones
Treats simulation as a product with internal users
Experience with simulation-to-real transfer and domain randomization
Experience with virtual commissioning or digital twin projects in manufacturing
Familiarity with Visual Components, Process Simulate, or comparable process simulation tools
Prior open-source contributions to Gazebo, Isaac Sim, or the ROS ecosystem

Benefits

Comp & perks

Bonus potential through an incentive pay program based on company, job-level, and individual performance
Medical, dental, and vision benefits
Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Accounts
Retirement savings plan
Sickness and accident benefits
Life insurance
Paid vacation and holidays
Tuition assistance programs
Employee assistance program
GM vehicle discounts
Company vehicle evaluation program, subject to motor vehicle report review
Relocation benefits for candidates who qualify under company policy