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Autonomous Systems Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Staff Systems Engineer, Autonomy

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$157K - $241K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Staff Systems Engineer on the Software Validation team within the AV organization, you will ... The Autonomous Vehicle (AV) organization is dedicated to advancing the development of autonomous ...

Systems Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About DZYNE DZYNE Technologies is leading the future of autonomous defense. Based in Irvine ... Systems Engineer Location: Irvine, CA Work Arrangement: On-Site Position Summary As a Systems ...

Staff Systems Engineer

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$195K - $240K/yr

As a Staff Systems Engineer , you are responsible for ensuring that our robot is safe, robust ... You will own the decomposition of requirements, architectures, and specifications of an autonomous ...

Working across product, engineering, sales, logistics, operations, and mission success, the Air ... Experience with any of the following: robotics, autonomous systems, radar, optics, computer vision ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About DZYNE DZYNE Technologies is leading the future of autonomous defense. Based in Irvine ... Senior Systems Engineer Location: Irvine, CA Work Arrangement: On-Site Position Summary As a Senior ...

Systems Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$146K - $194K/yr

Working across product, engineering, sales, logistics, operations, and mission success, the Air ... Experience with any of the following: robotics, autonomous systems, radar, optics, computer vision ...

Senior Systems Engineer, Fault Management

San Francisco, CA

$123K - $168K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Systems and Safety Engineering team at Kodiak is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to own the design and execution of Kodiak's next-generation Autonomy Fault Management System. This ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Irvine, CA

$130K - $170K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About DZYNE DZYNE Technologies is leading the future of autonomous defense. Based in Irvine ... Senior Systems Engineer Location: Irvine, CA Work Arrangement: On-Site Position Summary As a Senior ...

Systems Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$146K - $194K/yr

Working across product, engineering, sales, logistics, operations, and mission success, the Air ... Experience with any of the following: robotics, autonomous systems, radar, optics, computer vision ...

Showing results 41-60

Autonomous Systems Engineer information

See California salary details

$52.8K

$125.5K

$164.8K

How much do autonomous systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for autonomous systems 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 systems engineer do?

An Autonomous Systems Engineer designs, develops, and optimizes self-governing systems that operate with minimal human intervention. This includes robotics, self-driving vehicles, drones, and AI-driven automation. They work with sensors, machine learning, control systems, and software to ensure reliable decision-making and adaptability in dynamic environments. Their role often involves testing, simulation, and integration of hardware and software components to improve system efficiency and safety.

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

To thrive as an Autonomous Systems Engineer, you need strong expertise in robotics, control systems, sensor integration, and proficiency in languages such as Python or C++, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with simulation tools like ROS (Robot Operating System), MATLAB/Simulink, and experience deploying algorithms on embedded hardware are typically required. Effective problem-solving, strong teamwork, and clear communication are standout soft skills in this field. These competencies are crucial for designing reliable autonomous solutions, troubleshooting complex issues, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams for successful system deployment.

What are some common challenges faced by autonomous systems engineers and how are they addressed?

Autonomous Systems Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating diverse hardware and software components, achieving robust sensor fusion, and ensuring system reliability in unpredictable environments. Addressing these challenges typically involves rigorous simulation testing, iterative algorithm development, and close collaboration with cross-functional teams in software, hardware, and systems engineering. Engineers must also stay updated with advancements in machine learning and robotics to continually refine and enhance system capabilities. Employers support these efforts through ongoing training, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and investment in advanced prototyping resources.

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Autonomous Systems Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,549 per year, or $60.4 per hour.

Senior/Staff System Safety Engineer, Autonomy

DiDi Labs

San Jose, CA • On-site

$148K - $247K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

About The Company
DiDi's autonomous driving unit was established in 2016 with the mission of developing Level 4 autonomous driving (AD) technology to make transportation safer and more efficient. In August 2019, the unit became an independent company, DiDi Autonomous Driving, dedicated to advanced AD R&D, product application, and business expansion. We believe integrating AD technology into a shared-mobility fleet will generate immense social value. By leveraging DiDi's specialized technology, operational expertise, and integrated ecosystem, we are positioned to build and operate a highly efficient, user-oriented autonomous fleet.
About The Role
We are seeking an experienced and mission-driven Senior/Staff System Safety Engineer, Autonomy to lead the safety strategy and deployment readiness of our fully autonomous driving systems. In this role, you will define and implement the safety frameworks, release policies, and system-level engineering processes that enable safe and scalable unmanned operations. You will act as a technical leader in system safety, ensuring that our vehicles meet rigorous safety standards while advancing toward large-scale commercial deployment.
Responsibilities
  • Own the safety evaluation and release strategy for unmanned autonomous driving operations, defining clear criteria for system release, degradation, and fallback under varying operating conditions.
  • Design, implement, and champion the safety-related systems engineering framework, including safety requirements, system architecture, and Verification & Validation (V&V) plans.
  • Conduct systematic assessments of unmanned operational workflows, emergency protocols, and supporting tools/platforms to ensure safety and operational completeness.
  • Develop and institutionalize safety evaluation methodologies and metrics frameworks, translating safety goals into quantifiable, verifiable, and continuously tracked indicators.
  • Serve as the technical lead for safety-related incident review and analysis during unmanned operations, driving continuous improvements in system design, test coverage, and operational procedures.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Software, Product, Operations, and Safety teams to support leadership decisions regarding unmanned deployment, city expansion, and operational scaling.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or higher degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
  • 3-5 years of industry experience in systems engineering, safety engineering, autonomous systems, or a directly related field.
  • Strong systems thinking with the ability to decompose complex safety challenges and drive practical, scalable solutions.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate across teams, influence stakeholders, and take ownership of safety outcomes.
  • Experience working in a fast-paced environment with multiple parallel projects and ambiguous requirements.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Professional experience in safety-critical autonomous vehicle deployment or large-scale robotic systems operations.
  • Background in functional safety (ISO 26262, SOTIF) or safety assurance of unmanned systems.
  • Hands-on experience with safety validation tools, simulation-based V&V, or operational safety monitoring platforms.
  • Proven track record of defining release policies or safety readiness criteria for real-world autonomous systems.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $148,594-247,038 (Senior Engineer) and $178,286-296,400 (Staff Engineer) annually in addition to bonus, equity and benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
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