Vehicle Dynamics Simulation Engineer

Zoox•Foster City, CA

About The Position

The Robot Dynamics team at Zoox is responsible for the vehicle dynamics performance of our robot. Our team is the engine behind Zoox’s vehicle dynamics development. We don't just "test" vehicles; we translate data into technical insights that drive critical engineering decisions. We are looking for an engineer with strong vehicle dynamics chops and a can-do mindset—someone who can use modern data analysis tools to turn questions into answers rapidly, find the signal in the noise, and provide the broader team with clear options for advancing the vehicle dynamics performance of our robots. In this role, you will: Conduct virtual ride and handling assessments to identify critical trade-offs and lead testing activities Analyze simulation and vehicle data to provide quick-turnaround insights on vehicle behavior, identify performance gaps, and propose hardware or software solutions. Distill complex vehicle dynamics phenomena into clear, data-backed options for the broader engineering team to consider during design and tuning cycles. Contribute to the core Zoox vehicle model to improve realism and simulation capabilities Use simulation and data analysis to evaluate vehicle stability in limit-handling maneuvers and safety-critical failure modes.

Requirements

5+ years of experience and a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
Strong first-principles command of vehicle dynamics (e.g. tire modeling, load transfer, kinematics, and frequency response).
Experience with vehicle dynamics CAE development tools, such as Dymola, IPG CarMaker, MSC Adams
Proven ability to look at complex, multi-dimensional data and extract clear actionable insight
Programming experience with Python or a similar scripting language
Ability to translate highly technical data into concise summaries and actionable recommendations for cross-functional partners.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or PhD in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on dynamics or controls.
Hands-on physical testing experience (proving grounds, Formula SAE, or professional motorsports).
Experience with DOE/optimization workflows
Strong programming experience: Python, C+

Responsibilities

Conduct virtual ride and handling assessments to identify critical trade-offs and lead testing activities
Analyze simulation and vehicle data to provide quick-turnaround insights on vehicle behavior, identify performance gaps, and propose hardware or software solutions.
Distill complex vehicle dynamics phenomena into clear, data-backed options for the broader engineering team to consider during design and tuning cycles.
Contribute to the core Zoox vehicle model to improve realism and simulation capabilities
Use simulation and data analysis to evaluate vehicle stability in limit-handling maneuvers and safety-critical failure modes.