Simulation Engineer (Robotics)

TL;DR

Simulation Engineer (Robotics): Designing and maintaining high-fidelity Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) test rigs for autonomous marine vessels with an accent on physics-based modeling and autonomy stack integration. Focus on developing synthetic scenarios for GPS-denied navigation and correlating simulation fidelity with real-world sea-trial logs.

Location: Swindon, UK

Company

hirify.global is a defence technology company developing high-performance, software-defined autonomous systems to support NATO Allies.

What you will do

• Architect and maintain SiL and HiL test rigs for validating marine autopilots and robotic platforms.
• Develop physics-based models for vessel dynamics, including hydrodynamics, wave forces, and sensor physics.
• Integrate simulation frameworks with ROS2-based autonomy stacks and MAVLink/MAVSDK middlewares.
• Create synthetic scenarios simulating GPS-denied navigation and signal jamming to stress-test algorithms.
• Analyze performance by correlating simulation fidelity with actual sea-trial logs.
• Produce technical documentation, design drawings, and HIL wiring reports.

Requirements

• Experience modeling marine vessel physics (propulsion, hydrodynamics).
• Proficiency in C/C++ and Python.
• Experience building dynamic models in Simulink or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of fluid dynamics, classical mechanics, and control theory.
• Hands-on experience building and maintaining HIL test benches (cabling, instrumentation).
• Experience with PX4 vehicle stacks and ROS2 middleware.

Nice to have

• Degree in Control Systems, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or Computer Science.
• Experience with VBS4, Unreal Engine, or similar defense simulation suites.
• Experience with NVIDIA Omniverse, Isaac Sim, Isaac Lab, or Gazebo.
• Experience modeling EO, IR, IMU, GNSS, or LiDAR sensors.

Culture & Benefits

• Work within a small, senior software group (Minerva) on mission-critical capabilities.
• Opportunity to ship real software deployed in active operational environments.
• Environment where engineers solve high-stakes problems under real-world constraints.
• Company recognized with the Defence Employer Recognition Bronze award 2026.