Job Title: Principal Software Engineer
Job Description
The Principal Software Engineer will design and develop a sophisticated digital twin environment for advanced surgical applications. This role focuses on migrating an existing operating room simulator to an NVIDIA-based platform and expanding the environment to support operating room layout optimization, robotic system simulation, sensor simulation, and future AI model development for intra-operative use cases. The engineer will collaborate closely with clinical application, robotics, and software engineering teams to create a representative simulation of a robotic surgical system and related operating room components, establishing a robust foundation for simulation-based evaluation, workflow studies, and AI model training.
Responsibilities
Migrate assets from the existing operating room simulator to the NVIDIA-based simulation environment using its import and scene definition capabilities, including the robot, operating table, sawbone models, and tracking instrument models.
Set up an articulation controller to manage joint positions of the robot and connect the simulation to the existing control framework to leverage current functionality for robot control.
Evaluate the NVIDIA-based platform for operating room layout optimization and implement or extend missing features needed to support basic layout, access, collision, and workflow studies.
Develop a robust physics model for tool-tissue interaction to accurately represent bone resection and tissue manipulation within the simulation environment.
Integrate a variety of sensor models into the simulation to support realistic perception and data generation for analysis and AI training.
Collaborate with clinical application, robotics, and software engineering teams to ensure the simulation environment accurately reflects the robotic system and operating room components.
Establish a technical foundation for simulation-based evaluation, workflow analysis, and AI model training for intra-operative use cases.
Apply strong analytical skills and evaluative judgment to filter, prioritize, analyze, and validate complex and dynamic technical information in novel situations.
Act as a technical expert and thought leader in simulation, robotics, and digital twin technologies, providing guidance and insights across multidisciplinary teams.
Essential Skills
Extensive professional experience in a specialized technical field, typically a minimum of 8 or more years.
Advanced college degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Deep expertise in simulation, robotics, or closely related domains, with the ability to serve as a technical thought leader.
Solid Python programming in a Linux environment.
Experience with robotics hardware development and CAD modeling.
Exposure to simulation tools such as Gazebo, Webots, Unity, MATLAB/Simulink, or NVIDIA-based simulation platforms.
Experience with physics modeling and simulation, particularly in complex mechanical or interaction scenarios.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to exercise evaluative judgment based on factual and qualitative information in complicated or novel situations.
Ability to filter, prioritize, analyze, and validate complex and dynamic technical material to drive sound engineering decisions.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience with Omniverse and USD (Universal Scene Description) workflows.
Experience with articulated robot simulation, including joint control and kinematic modeling.
Experience with edge computing environments and architectures.
Robotics controls with working knowledge of advanced control frameworks.
Proven ability to work as a highly specialized individual contributor while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
Strong communication skills to convey complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Work Environment
This role operates in a highly technical, collaborative engineering environment focused on advanced simulation, robotics, and digital twin technologies. Work is typically performed in a Linux-based software development setting using Python and a variety of simulation tools such as Gazebo, Webots, Unity, MATLAB/Simulink, and NVIDIA-based platforms, including Omniverse and USD workflows. The position involves close collaboration with clinical application, robotics, and software engineering teams, emphasizing cross-functional communication and joint problem-solving. The work is primarily computer-based, with significant time spent designing, coding, testing, and validating complex simulation and physics models. Attire is generally standard professional or casual technical office wear appropriate for a modern engineering and research environment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Weston, FL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $80.00 - $110.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully remote position.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 4, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
