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Autonomous Driving Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Zoox

Software Engineer - Driving Behavior

Foster City, CA · On-site

$168K - $270K/yr

This role will be a part of a team to expand Zoox's autonomous mobility to new geofences. We are looking for a Software Engineer to improve and develop autonomous driving capabilities in new ...

Zoox

Software Engineer - Driving Behavior

Foster City, CA · On-site

$168K - $270K/yr

This role will be a part of a team to expand Zoox's autonomous mobility to new geofences. We are looking for a Software Engineer to improve and develop autonomous driving capabilities in new ...

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All JobsAutonomous Driving Engineer JobsAutonomous Driving Engineer Jobs in California

Autonomous Driving Engineer information

See California salary details

$58.2K

$135.5K

$193.9K

How much do autonomous driving engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for autonomous driving engineer in California is $135,511.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,200.00 and $193,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an autonomous driving engineer?

An Autonomous Driving Engineer develops software, algorithms, and systems that enable vehicles to drive autonomously. They work on perception, sensor fusion, path planning, and control systems using AI, computer vision, and robotics. Their role involves testing and refining autonomous systems in simulations and real-world environments to ensure safety and reliability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an autonomous driving engineer?

To thrive as an Autonomous Driving Engineer, you need strong expertise in robotics, computer vision, sensor fusion, and machine learning, generally backed by a relevant engineering or computer science degree. Familiarity with programming languages like Python or C++, frameworks such as ROS (Robot Operating System), and simulation tools like CARLA or MATLAB is typically required. Problem-solving, teamwork, and clear communication are important soft skills that help you excel when debugging complex systems and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure the ability to develop innovative autonomous driving solutions that are safe, efficient, and effective in real-world environments.

What are some common challenges autonomous driving engineers face on the job?

Autonomous Driving Engineers often work on highly complex systems where integrating hardware and software, ensuring sensor reliability, and maintaining safety standards can pose significant challenges. Collaborating across teams—such as hardware engineers, data scientists, and software developers—is a daily part of the role, requiring strong coordination and flexibility. Debugging scenarios in both real-world and simulated environments, handling vast datasets, and keeping up with rapidly evolving technology are also regular parts of the job. These challenges make the work both demanding and rewarding, offering continual learning and professional growth opportunities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Autonomous Driving Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Autonomous Driving Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Autonomous Driving Engineer jobs in California?

For Autonomous Driving Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Autonomous Driving Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Autonomous Driving Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Autonomous Driving Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Autonomous Driving Engineer job openings:

Autonomous Driving Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Autonomous Driving Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,511 per year, or $65.1 per hour.

Senior Planning Engineer (Autonomy)

AeroVect

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$123K - $169K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Company Description
At AeroVect, we provide autonomous driving solutions to some of the busiest airports and logistics hubs in the world. Backed by top-tier investors, AeroVect is shaping the future of structured autonomy, beginning with self-driving tow tractors.
If you have a passion for applying autonomous driving technologies to impact the flow of goods for millions of people, we want to talk to you!
Job Description
We are looking for a Senior Planning Engineer who knows how to bring world class planner system design to autonomous driving systems in structured, low-speed environments.
In this role, you'll own, revise, and scale a core planning module at a fast-paced, early-stage startup. Leveraging your experience building production-grade planners, you'll propel the AeroVect Driver to handle various driving scenarios, achieving category-defining vehicle autonomy for the airport operational design domain.
Your scope will include leading the system design and implementation of key improvements to the current AeroVect planner including the global mission planner, behavior planner, and motion planner.
The generalist engineer will be a part of the core autonomy team responsible for system requirements and validation of autonomous driving capabilities across various areas of the autonomy stack. Key responsibilities include designing, implementing, testing, and documenting robotics systems and features in C/C++ on desktop and embedded platforms.
The opportunity offers a technical, hands-on team leader the chance to help develop a market-defining enterprise product that combines autonomous vehicle technology with a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) business model. This role reports directly to our co-founders, and works closely with the autonomy engineering team.
What You'll Do
  • Define, implement, and own hands-on improvements to upgrade the core planner module, targeting milestones, growing the team, and working with internal/external partners - expect to spend 80% of your time performing hands-on development, with the remaining 20% leading the planning module roadmap, including directing schedule, removing obstacles, and coaching the team to hit aggressive milestones.
  • Lead a team of engineers bringing up all components necessary for reliable autonomous driving in the airside environment, including vehicle corridors and the apron.
  • Design, implement, test, and support all aspects of ground vehicle autonomy, including planning, prediction, perception, localization, controls, and infrastructure subsystems
  • Qualify all subsystems using objective measures, with an eye to functional safety and systems engineering best practices
  • Collaborate with vehicle engineering to create an integrated system, including sensor/compute selection and integration
  • Understand and keep up-to-date with state of the art

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
  • Prior background (academic or industrial) in development of planning modules for autonomous systems
  • Strong theoretical knowledge of one or more areas of planning: trajectory generation, behavior planning
  • Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree candidate in Computer Science, Math, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Physics, or related field
  • Strong C++ (preferred) or Python programming and algorithmic problem solving skills
  • Working experience in a Linux based Operating System
  • Experience using the Robot Operating System (ROS) framework and tools like Rviz, rqt, tf, etc.
  • Strong reasoning skills and mathematics background including linear algebra, geometry, calculus, optimization, and probability to name a few
  • Solid engineering background with hands-on design and development experience
  • Experience with field testing autonomous systems
  • Highly collaborative nature and exceptional communicator

Desired Qualifications
  • MS or PhD in Computer Science, Math, Robotics or a related field
  • In-Depth understanding of DDS frameworks like ROS/ROS2 or other networking middleware
  • Proven track record of system development and successful deployment of unmanned systems in existing or upcoming products
  • Mastery of Modern C++ (14 and beyond) and safety critical coding practices (MISRA and ISO 26262 compliance)
  • 2+ years of focused industry experience on planning for robotic ground vehicles

Additional Information
AeroVect is a technology company that applies the latest advances in autonomous driving systems to create today the airports and logistics centers of the future. We work with airports around the world to bring self-driving tow tractors to life.
Our experienced team of engineers and aerospace industry specialists from Harvard and MIT have collectively spent decades developing cutting-edge autonomy and aerospace technologies. Founded on the principles of safety, efficiency, and reliability, our mission is to create the airport of the future today, making logistics work for millions of people while having lots of fun on the way. Read more on our website at www.aerovect.com .
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We're committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within our company, industry, and cities. That's why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of the best and brightest from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has room at the table and the tools, resources, and opportunity to excel.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
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