Research Engineer (Software Engineer, AI/XR Simulation)

Company description:

The National University of Singapore is the national research university of Singapore. Founded in 1905 as the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States Government Medical School, NUS is the oldest higher education institution in Singapore

Job description:

About NUS Cute Center

NUS CUTE (Creating Unique Technologies for Everyone) Center is a multi-disciplinary research institute where some of the key areas of focus are physical embodiments and tangible interaction, along with Virtual Reality visualisation. Website: https://www.nus.edu.sg/cutecenter/

We are looking for a resourceful Software Engineer to help design and build the next generation of our immersive training and simulation systems on the Unity platform, and to help transition legacy, static VR training into a highly adaptive platform powered by Generative AI. You will help integrate large language models (LLMs), the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and dynamic prompt-based generation into a distributed Unity environment.

We do not expect you to know everything on day one. The ideal candidate combines strong spatial computing fundamentals with a relentless drive to self-learn, an aptitude for leveraging modern AI-assisted development tools (e.g. GitHub Copilot, Claude Code) to accelerate workflows, and the curiosity to master new MLOps paradigms on the job.

Job Description

• Collaborate with designers, researchers and stakeholders to develop VR, AR, MR and XR software simulations on Unity, with physical hardware interfaces.
• Build and extend simulation features across a distributed, multi-device environment, including user roles, scenario management and session review generation, storage and retrieval.
• AI Orchestration Pipeline: Build interfaces where LLMs and the Model Context Protocol (MCP) translate user prompts into JSON-based logic, driving real-time prop placement, character behaviours and UI generation in Unity.
• AI-Assisted Workflow: Leverage Unity-native AI capabilities and external AI coding assistants to accelerate content creation, rapid prototyping and maintain high code quality.
• Formulate program specifications and basic prototypes, and transform software designs and specifications into high-level functioning code in the appropriate framework and system.
• Create technical documentation for user support, advise the team on best practices, and maintain a high standard of coding consistency and reusability.
• Evaluate feasibility of project requirements and give reasonable estimates on tech-related tasks.

Requirements and Qualifications

Requirements

• Singapore citizens or PR only.
• Graduates with no prior experience and candidates with up to 2 years of relevant experience are welcome to apply. We place particular emphasis on demonstrated technical ability, adaptability, self-directed learning, and enthusiasm for emerging AI/XR technologies.
• Hands-on experience developing with the Unity engine (C#).
• Strong proficiency in at least one supplementary programming language: Python, C#.
• Working knowledge of applied AI — in particular, integrating and working with LLMs via APIs for prompt-based generation..
• AI-assisted development tools: Hands-on familiarity with AI coding assistants (e.g. GitHub Copilot, Claude Code or equivalent) to accelerate prototyping, raise code quality and overcome technical roadblocks. Familiarity with Unity's AI features and AI-driven content/asset, animation or behaviour generation tooling will be a plus.
• Data Handling: Experience working with JSON schemas, telemetry logging and relational databases for user account and session management.
• Skilled in Git and its workflows.
• Work with custom hardware through standardised interfaces, and make informed decisions on technology used in projects (e.g. recommend hardware, tools, engines, plugins and models).
• Analytical mindset, attention to detail, and openness to picking up new technologies.

Preferred Qualifications (to be learned or expanded on the job)

• Degree in computer science, software engineering, artificial intelligence or a relevant discipline.
• Experience integrating LLMs into applications, and familiarity with the Model Context Protocol (MCP) or similar agent-linking frameworks.
• Experience with Unity AI-based asset, animation or behaviour generation tooling, and AI coding assistants to speed up development.
• Experience developing VR applications using at least one popular VR setup (HTC, Pico/Quest).
• Familiarity with microcontroller kits (Arduino, Raspberry Pi) is an advantage.
• Familiarity with C++ or Java will be an advantage.