Applied Scientist II, Simulation

Amazon is hiring an Applied Scientist II, Simulation in Sunnyvale, United States. It pays $172k-$222k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Level.

Level's read on this job

Builds AI ●●●● is how Level rates this applied scientist role: the job is building AI systems.
Pay on this posting starts in line with the typical applied scientist posting on Level.
The posting mentions Python, C and physics simulation among its tools and skills.
Level classes it as a mid-level role.
Amazon has 22,000+ other open roles on Level.

AI in this role

Applied Scientist developing physics-based simulation methodologies and machine learning approaches for advanced robotic systems.

pythonc

physics-simulationroboticsreinforcement-learningmachine-learningsim-to-real

Amazon 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 talented Applied Scientist to join our advanced robotics team, focusing on developing and applying cutting-edge simulation methodologies for advanced robotics systems. This role centers on research and development of physics-based simulation techniques, sim-to-real transfer methods, and machine learning approaches that enable rapid development, testing, and validation of robotic systems operating in complex, real-world environments.

Key job responsibilities
- Advance physics-based simulation fidelity for contact-rich manipulation and locomotion
- Design and build high-performance simulation tools integrated into a robotics design stack
- Translate research ideas into robust, verifiable data
- Develop methods to quantify and reduce simulation-to-reality gaps across design, safety, and control
- Architect scalable simulation solutions for rigid and deformable body dynamics
- Build simulation pipelines optimized for a digital twin level of fidelity
- Establish frameworks for continuous simulation improvement using real-world hardware
- Collaborate with engineering, science, and safety teams on simulation requirements and validation

About the team
Our team is building a comprehensive robot simulation and modeling platform for advanced robotics development, combining locomotion and manipulation capabilities. We operate at the cutting edge of physics simulation, reinforcement learning, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and sim-to-real transfer, collaborating with world-class robotics engineers, scientists, and mechanical designers in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.

This role uniquely combines fundamental research with real-world development. You will pursue core research questions in physics-based simulation while seeing your work translated into real robots, validated on real hardware. Working alongside Robot scientist and designers, you will help transform research ideas into scalable, quantifiable simulation capabilities that directly impact how robots are designed and built.

Basic qualifications

- Currently has, or is in the process of obtaining, a PhD in computer science, computer engineering, or related field
- 2+ years of science, technology, engineering or related field experience
- Deep expertise in physics-based simulation, including rigid and deformable dynamics, contact mechanics, computational geometry, and numerical methods
- Experience designing and optimizing physics-based simulation systems for high-performance and large-scale computing environments
- Strong programming skills in C++ and Python, with an emphasis on maintainable, performance-critical code
- Working knowledge of modern physics engines such as MuJoCo, Isaac Lab, Drake, and Newton

Preferred qualifications

- Experience with reinforcement learning and policy training in simulation
- Familiarity with differentiable physics, learned simulation models, or neural physics engines
- Background in contact-rich manipulation or legged locomotion simulation
- Experience with robotics model formats and pipelines (e.g., URDF, SDF, USD)
- Expertise in GPU-accelerated computing and algorithms
- Experience deploying simulation-trained policies on real robotic systems
- Demonstrated research leadership, from project conception through publication and deployment

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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, CA, Sunnyvale - 171,600.00 - 222,200.00 USD annually
USA, MA, N.Reading - 142,800.00 - 193,200.00 USD annually

How we rate this

Applied Scientist II, Simulation at Amazon rates 90 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Builds AI (AI Level 4 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Builds AI. The job is building AI systems.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Open the description and count.

Key facts

Applied Scientist II, Simulation is an open job at Amazon.
Level rates this role AI Level 4 of 4: Builds AI.
The listed salary is $172k-$222k a year.
The role is based in US, CA, Sunnyvale.
The job was posted on April 24, 2026.
Seniority: mid.
Applications are handled by Amazon. Apply on Amazon

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

Physics SimulationRoboticsReinforcement learningMachine learningSim To RealPythonC

Also common in applied scientist jobs at this level

Java Deep learning LLM Generative AI NLP TensorFlow

Pay

This job starts at: $172k
Typical applied scientist job: $167k

This posting starts close to the typical applied scientist job. See applied scientist jobs

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where physics simulation was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where robotics was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where reinforcement learning was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where machine learning was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where sim to real was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Physics Simulation, Robotics, Reinforcement learning, Machine learning, and Sim To Real. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
Lead with what you built, trained or shipped. This role is judged on the AI system itself, not the tools around it.

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