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Autonomous System Engineer information

See California salary details

$52.8K

$125.5K

$164.8K

How much do autonomous system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for autonomous system engineer in California is $125,549.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,700.00 and $154,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Autonomous System Engineer do?

An Autonomous System Engineer designs, develops, and maintains systems that can operate independently with minimal human intervention. This typically involves integrating hardware and software components, developing algorithms for perception, planning, and control, and ensuring the safety and reliability of autonomous systems like self-driving cars, drones, or robotics. They also work on testing, simulation, and troubleshooting to improve system performance and adapt to new scenarios.

What are some common challenges Autonomous System Engineers face when integrating new technologies into existing systems?

Autonomous System Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility between legacy infrastructure and cutting-edge autonomous technologies. Balancing system safety, reliability, and real-time performance while integrating new hardware or software can be complex. Additionally, it requires close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—including software developers, data scientists, and hardware engineers—to address interoperability and compliance with industry standards. Successfully overcoming these hurdles is key to deploying robust, scalable autonomous solutions.

What is the difference between Autonomous System Engineer vs Network Engineer?

AspectAutonomous System EngineerNetwork Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires Cisco, Juniper, or similar certifications, along with networking degreesOften holds Cisco CCNA, CCNP, or equivalent certifications and networking degrees
Work EnvironmentFocuses on large-scale internet infrastructure, ISPs, and data centersWorks on enterprise, corporate, or service provider networks
Industry UsagePrimarily in internet service providers, large data centers, and telecom companiesUsed across various industries including corporate, healthcare, and education
Job FocusDesigning, managing, and optimizing autonomous systems and routing protocolsConfiguring and maintaining network hardware and connectivity

While both roles involve networking expertise, Autonomous System Engineers specialize in large-scale internet routing and autonomous systems, whereas Network Engineers focus on broader network infrastructure management across different environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Autonomous System Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Autonomous System Engineer, you need a strong background in robotics, computer science, and control systems, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with programming languages like Python or C++, simulation tools such as ROS or Gazebo, and experience with embedded systems are crucial, alongside certifications in AI or machine learning being advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills set outstanding candidates apart. These competencies are essential to design, implement, and maintain reliable autonomous systems capable of operating safely and efficiently in complex environments.
What are popular job titles related to Autonomous System Engineer jobs in California? For Autonomous System Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Autonomous System Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Autonomous System Engineer jobs in California are:
Autonomous System Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Autonomous System Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,549 per year, or $60.4 per hour.
Flight Research Systems Engineer

Flight Research Systems Engineer

Joby Aviation

Concord, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Company Overview
Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.
Overview
The Systems Engineers will own the architecture, integration, and life-cycle success of a single or multiple avionics systems, ranging from requirements management, development, certification, and entry into service.
Joby Aviation's flight research team is looking for a passionate Systems Engineer to join our growing team. This is a position that provides the engineer a chance to interact with many of the key teams and disciplines within the company. The Systems Engineer will provide technical guidance and coordination across the Autonomy Systems. This role will own the architecture, integration, and life-cycle success of the autonomy system, ranging from requirements management, development, certification, and entry into service. This role will be responsible for leading the development and certification of systems and sub-systems and ensuring successful design validation and verification. The Systems Engineer will work very closely with Software, Hardware and GNC teams to ensure the avionics systems meet the needs of the program.
This position requires a solid understanding of aircraft systems, system development, and industry specific certification processes. This position requires enough background knowledge and a willingness to learn to enable one to understand the complex trade-offs involved in the system design both within Avionics and across the aircraft systems as a whole.
The most important traits at Joby are a positive attitude towards the project, strong work ethic, and being able to self-manage and learn new skills. Forward thinking and the ability to adapt quickly to a fast-paced environment are a must.
Responsibilities
  • Systems Architecture & Requirement Ownership: Lead the definition and management of system-level requirements and traceability. You don't just write requirements; you define the hierarchy and validation methods using tools like Jama, Polarion, or Flow.
  • Conduct Trade Studies: Evaluate architectures and specific component options against considerations such as functional assessment, cost, mass, reliability, and performance at the component and aircraft level. Lead make versus buy decisions. Engage with external vendors.
  • Safety & Reliability Leadership: Drive System Safety Assessments (SSA), Functional Hazard Assessments (FHA), and Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) for complex autonomous systems.
  • Cross-Functional Integration: Serve as the "glue" between specialized teams (Software, Hardware, Flight Controls, and GCS) to adapt the Joby hardware and software stack to new configurations and applications.
  • V&V Strategy (Verification & Validation): Define the master verification plan. You determine which requirements are met through simulation, HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) testing, and/or light testing.
  • Flight Readiness Authority: Lead the Technical Readiness Reviews (TRR) and Flight Readiness Reviews (FRR). You provide the analytical "green light" that the aircraft systems are safe to transition to the flight test team.
  • Mentorship: Act as a lead for project specific systems engineers, reviewing their work, defining project level best practices, and standardizing engineering workflows.

Required
  • BS in Aerospace, Systems, or Electrical Engineering (or related)
  • Bachelor's degree +5years experience; Advanced degree +3 years experience
  • Systems engineering experience developing complex, safety-critical vehicles, with depth on at least one side of the V and a clear desire to grow into full-V ownership
  • Thorough understanding of systems engineering concepts and methods, including system-level requirements definition, traceability, and validation
  • Experience with safety and reliability analyses such as System Safety Assessments (SSA), Functional Hazard Assessments (FHA), and FMECA
  • Proficiency with requirements management and traceability tools (e.g., Jama, Polarion, DOORS)
  • This position must meet US export control compliance requirements, therefore a candidate must qualify as a "US Person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15. "US Person" includes US Citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees.

Desired
  • Demonstrated full-V experience developing complex, safety-critical vehicles
  • MS/PhD in engineering
  • Experience with autonomous system logic, Command & Control (C2) link reliability, and GCS integration for Group 3-5 UAS
  • Experience with digital flight control systems
  • Experience with aircraft certification development and test processes (ARP4754, DO-178C, DO-254, DO-160)
  • MBSE experience and tool proficiency (e.g., Cameo/MagicDraw, Capella, Rhapsody)
  • Demonstrated success in clean-sheet aerospace development
  • Experience leading Technical Readiness Reviews (TRR) and Flight Readiness Reviews (FRR)
  • Experience mentoring systems engineers and standardizing engineering workflows

Additional Information
Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $104,800 - $152,000/yr. The compensation package will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.
Joby Aviation is an equal opportunity employer.

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