Robotics Modeling and Simulation Professional

America's grid is only as strong as the engineers who secure it. At the Nuclear Science & Technology directorate at Idaho National Laboratory, you'll be one of them.

The Nuclear Science & Technology directorate is looking for a Robotics Modeling and Simulation Professional ready to shape the next generation of energy and grid technology, work that keeps America's energy infrastructure secure and its scientific leadership out front. This is a role where your analysis directly informs how power systems get built, and your experiments help define what resilient, sustainable power looks like for the future.

What you'll actually be doing:

• Build and refine simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) systems that let robots localize themselves and map their surroundings in real time in complex, hazardous, or radiologically constrained environments where GPS and clean visual data are not guaranteed.
• Develop 3D scene reconstruction and world models that give robotic systems a working understanding of the physical spaces they operate in, from a single room to an entire facility.
• Design and implement autonomous decision-making pipelines that bridge classical robotics (planning, control, state estimation) with modern AI/ML methods, so robots do not just sense their environment, but they act intelligently within it.
• Fuse data from multiple sensors (LiDAR, depth cameras, and others) into a coherent picture of the environment that downstream planning and control systems can trust.
• Prototype and field-test autonomous behaviors on physical robotic platforms, taking systems from simulation to real-world deployment in support of INL's nuclear, energy security, and critical infrastructure missions.
• Apply modeling and simulation tools, including GPU-accelerated physics simulation platforms, to develop and validate autonomy algorithms before they touch real hardware.
• Contribute to autonomous laboratories, autonomous inspection, remote handling, and related robotics capabilities that reduce human exposure to hazardous or inaccessible environments.
• Collaborate across the Spatial Computing department and with partner teams to ground your robotics work in INL's broader digital engineering ecosystem.
• Work hands-on in ROS2, Python, and C/C++ to move ideas from whiteboard to working robotic system
• Document your technical approach and results, and share your work through internal reports, publications, or patents as opportunities arise.
• Support proposal development for externally funded robotics and autonomy programs, translating technical ideas into clear, compelling scope and cost narratives for sponsors like DOE, DOW, DHS, and NASA.

Why this role matters: Spatial computing is what lets robots move from simply sensing the world to truly understanding it. At INL, that understanding is put to work in nuclear facilities, hazardous environments, and critical infrastructure where human presence carries real risk. You will have a direct hand in building the perception and autonomy systems that keep people out of harm's way while advancing the country's energy and national security missions. This is a seat at the table where energy security decisions get made. You'll have real ownership over high-stakes systems, the opportunity to collaborate with world leading scientists and engineers, high impact mentoring future talent, and to define what a resilient American grid looks like.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Apply principles, theories, and concepts to develop, deploy, and support innovative technical solutions across various platforms (mobile, embedded, desktop, web-based, and hosted capabilities) to support programmatic goals.
• Apply software engineering principles to complex analytical processes and information display and visualization.
• Leverage modeling and simulation to address complex problems across multiple fields, including nuclear, chemistry, digital twins, critical infrastructure, energy delivery, and energy security applications.
• Analyze, test, modify, document, and maintain models or simulation-based systems related to scientific domains, including nuclear applications.
• Execute assigned computational analysis/modeling tasks and make preliminary selections and adaptations of technical alternatives.
• Develop and review designs, requirement definitions, operations, documentation, and testing processes.
• Optimize, program, and develop software using technologies such as MATLAB, Simulink, C/C++/C#, Python, Julia, etc.
• Provide consultation services to internal teams in applicable technologies, requirement definitions, operations, and testing.
• Enhance skills with cutting-edge technology.
• Deliver high-quality product features exceeding client expectations.
• Collaborate in ROS2, Python and GitHub environments.
• Mentor junior staff and lead groups.

Required:

• Level 2: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline from an accredited institution and 2 years of relevant experience; or an advanced degree in in Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Level 3: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline from an accredited institution and 5 years of relevant experience; or an advanced degree in in Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline from an accredited institution and 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in robotics including autonomous interactions with a physical environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent collaboration skills.
• Growth mindset.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Advanced degree from an accredited institution.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, use hands to handle materials, manipulate tools, keyboard and type, reach with hands and arms, and operate job-related equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information:

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Robotics Modeling and Simulation Professional to work on our Spatial Computing team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Research and Education Campus with every other Friday off.

• The pay range for this position is: Level 2 ($79,344 - $162,732) / Level 3 ($95,256 - $195,288). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

INL Mission:

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision:

Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements:

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation:

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Information:

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.