Sr Applied Scientist - Robotics Simulation, Amazon Robotics R&D

DESCRIPTION:

We are seeking a Senior Applied Scientist to join our Robotics Simulation (AR R&D) team developing simulation environments and foundational models for robotics. You will lead the development of 3D physics-based simulation environments and tools to automate reusable sim asset creation for training large-scale machine learning models.

Key job responsibilities
- Mentor a team of scientists on Robotic Simulation best practices
- Establish processes for developing simulations for reinforcement learning, closed-loop simulations and synthetic data generation
- Create frameworks for incorporating essential robotics features, including accurate modeling of sensors, actuators, and controllers into simulations
- Build real-to-sim workflows for dynamic environments and robotics tasks
- Direct the implementation of simulation features to minimize sim-to-real gaps through domain randomization and system identification
- Create asset tool chains supporting industry-standard formats (URDF, MJCF, USD)
- Collaborate closely with a team of ML researchers to enable large-scale robotics training pipelines

A day in the life
Amazon offers a full range of benefits that support you and eligible family members, including domestic partners and their children. Benefits can vary by location, the number of regularly scheduled hours you work, length of employment, and job status such as seasonal or temporary employment. The benefits that generally apply to regular, full-time employees include:

1. Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
2. Maternity and Parental Leave Options
3. Paid Time Off (PTO)
4. 401(k) Plan

If you are not sure that every qualification on the list above describes you exactly, we'd still love to hear from you! At Amazon, we value people with unique backgrounds, experiences, and skillsets. If you're passionate about this role and want to make an impact on a global scale, please apply!

About the team
The Robotics Simulation team's mission is to build simulation and visualization technologies that help its customers do their work easier, faster, and do it with greater effect. We build simulation products empowering our customers to extend upon and build a wide variety of simulation models from low level physics and sensor simulations to large scale solution level simulations. We create digital twins with multiple levels of detail enabling use across any 3D application and infrastructure. We educate our customers through early prototyping of new concepts. Lastly, we empower our customers to visualize their simulations through technology that strives to produce realistic and accurate representations of the simulated world.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

- PhD, or Master's degree and 6+ years of applied research experience
- Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language
- Experience with neural deep learning methods and machine learning

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

- Broad experience across a range of physics simulators (IsaacSim, IssacLab, MuJoCo, Drake, etc.), both as a sim "power-user" and technical developer
- First-hand experience in sim2real transfer (i.e. developing learned policies in sim and successfully getting them to work on real robots)
- Experiencing in closing sim2real gaps both in terms of visual fidelity and physics fidelity
- Deep expertise in robotics (controls, motion planning, perception, etc.), ideally both in the context of manipulation and locomotion
- Deep expertise in reinforcement learning, especially in the context of robotics
- Experience with VLAs and using simulation for data generation and benchmarking
- Experience with ROS2

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, Westboro - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually