Senior Simulation Vehicle Modeling Engineer
$160,800–$193,000 year
RemoteAnn Arbor, Michigan, United States
Job Summary
Develop and own high-fidelity truck vehicle dynamics models representing longitudinal, lateral, and transient behavior for simulation and autonomy validation. Design, develop, and maintain closed-loop simulation platforms used in large-scale verification and reinforcement learning training pipelines. Partner with autonomy teams to capture requirements for planning, controls, and system-level validation, while ensuring model updates do not regress performance via automated regression frameworks. Execute full software development lifecycle activities in C++ within Linux and ROS/ROS2 environments, performing root cause analysis on simulation and hardware-in-the-loop issues. Design test plans for data acquisition to support field data collection and communicate progress clearly during daily stand-ups and design reviews. Build collaborative relationships with OEM partners and simulation tool vendors to evaluate and integrate simulation capabilities.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
- 6+ years of relevant experience
- Master's Degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
- 3+ years of relevant experience
- PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
- 1+ years of relevant experience
- Proficiency in C++
- Proficiency in Python
- Proficiency in ROS/ROS2
- Proficiency in CMake
- Proficiency in Linux
- Physics-based modeling of ground vehicles
- Knowledge of longitudinal dynamics
- Knowledge of lateral dynamics
- Knowledge of tire models
- Knowledge of powertrain
- Working knowledge of AV autonomy stack architecture
- Knowledge of planning
- Knowledge of controls
- Knowledge of system integration
- Ability to translate vehicle model capabilities and limitations to autonomy engineering teams
- Ability to capture requirements from autonomy engineering teams
- Experience with unit testing
- Experience with integration testing
- Experience with regression testing
- Experience with automated validation pipelines
- Experience with simulation-based performance benchmarking
- Ability to drive consensus across simulation, autonomy, controls, and product engineering & safety teams
- Ability to own and maintain key technical systems across multiple repositories
- Ability to contribute to cross-org architectural decisions
- Advanced-level professional status
- Independent judgment
- Minimal supervision
- Willingness to mentor and guide engineers within the group
- Contribution to technical direction within the simulation and autonomy domains
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with high-fidelity truck & trailer or heavy-vehicle models
- Experience building or extending closed-loop autonomous vehicle simulation environments
- Familiarity with scenario-based validation
- Familiarity with sim-to-real correlation activities
- Familiarity with how learned models (neural networks) consume simulation and vehicle model outputs in autonomy V&V workflows
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