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Autonomous Systems Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Autonomous Systems information

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$45.4K

$100.7K

$151K

How much do autonomous systems jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for autonomous systems in California is $100,730.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,000.00 and $123,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an autonomous system?

An Autonomous Systems job involves designing, developing, and maintaining self-operating technologies, such as drones, self-driving cars, and robotic systems. Professionals in this field work on AI, machine learning, sensor fusion, and control systems to enable machines to make decisions and operate without human intervention. Roles may include software engineers, roboticists, and data scientists, often collaborating to improve system reliability and efficiency. These jobs are common in industries like defense, transportation, manufacturing, and healthcare.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in an autonomous systems position?

To excel in an Autonomous Systems role, candidates typically need expertise in robotics, computer vision, control systems, and programming languages such as Python or C++, often supported by a degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like ROS (Robot Operating System), simulation platforms, and relevant certifications (e.g., in AI or machine learning) is highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective teamwork enhance performance in this multidisciplinary environment. These abilities are essential for innovating, troubleshooting, and successfully deploying autonomous solutions in real-world settings.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in autonomous systems?

Professionals in Autonomous Systems often encounter challenges related to integrating complex hardware and software, ensuring system reliability in dynamic environments, and maintaining safety and compliance with industry standards. Debugging and testing autonomous solutions can be demanding due to unpredictable real-world variables and evolving technical requirements. Collaboration with cross-functional teams is crucial, as roles often involve coordinating with engineers, data scientists, and product managers. Successfully navigating these challenges helps drive innovation and ensures the successful deployment and operation of advanced autonomous technologies.

What career pathways exist in autonomous systems?

Career pathways in autonomous systems include roles such as autonomous systems engineer, robotics engineer, software developer, sensor integration specialist, and systems analyst. These positions often require skills in programming, control systems, machine learning, and experience with tools like ROS or MATLAB. Opportunities exist in industries like automotive, aerospace, defense, and research institutions.

What do autonomous systems engineers do?

Autonomous systems engineers design, develop, and test systems that enable machines or vehicles to operate independently, such as self-driving cars or drones. They work with robotics, sensors, control algorithms, and software integration, often using programming languages like C++ or Python and tools such as simulation environments. Their role involves ensuring safety, reliability, and efficiency of autonomous operations through rigorous testing and system optimization.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Autonomous Systems job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,730 per year, or $48.4 per hour.

Senior/Staff Systems Engineer, Autonomy Verification

Nuro

Mountain View, CA โ€ข On-site

$176K - $319K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

Who We Are
Nuro believes self-driving vehicles are the most immediate and profound opportunity for AI to drive positive change in the physical world. Safer streets, more time for what matters, and easier access to the world around us, that's why we're building a universal autonomy platform: self-driving for all roads and all rides.
Founded in 2016, Nuro is a physical AI company developing Level 4 autonomous driving technology for a wide range of vehicles, use cases, and markets. Powered by the Nuro Driverโ„ข, our universal autonomy platform enables the global mobility ecosystem to deploy autonomy at scale, from robotaxis and logistics fleets to personal vehicles.
With years of real-world deployment experience and a flexible, partner-led business model, Nuro is working toward a future where millions of autonomous vehicles powered by our technology help make everyday life safer, easier, and more connected.
Nuro has raised over $2B in capital from Uber, NVIDIA, Google, Softbank, Fidelity, T. Rowe Price, and other leading investors.
About the Role
As a Senior/Staff Systems Engineer working on Autonomy Verification, you are responsible for verifying that the Nuro Driver is safe to deploy in our target ODD and complies with the rules of the road. This requires prior experience with the development or validation of autonomous systems, and a collaborative nature to work closely with a variety of teams across Nuro: Autonomy Software, Simulation, Product, and Operations. You will have end-to-end ownership from requirements definition, metrics design, and test strategy development.
About the Work
  • Create requirements for an autonomous system, ensuring safe operation within its ODD and compliance with the rules of the road.
  • Design generalizable metrics and acceptance criteria to verify that the autonomous system satisfies these requirements, leveraging safety standards and methodologies.
  • Propose and leverage diverse test strategies - synthetic and log simulation, on-road logs, closed-course testing, third-party accident reconstructions - to verify requirements.
  • Collaborate closely with Behavior, Perception, Data Science, Product, Legal, and Public Trust teams to develop acceptance criteria for metrics and tests.
  • Partner with simulation infrastructure and test integration teams to set up automated verification workflows.
  • Quantify coverage of the tests for our ODD, ensuring simulation realism and relevance for deployment. Link the results from the tests as evidence to support the Autonomy Safety Case.

About You
  • 5+ years of technical work experience in a relevant area with 3+ years of experience with development or validation of autonomous vehicles/robotic systems.
  • Experience creating behavior requirements for SAE L2, L3, or L4 autonomous systems or other robotic systems to operate safely within its ODD.
  • Experience with simulation and real-world testing of autonomous systems.
  • Strong understanding of the autonomy architecture - how sensing, localization, perception, prediction, behavior, and control modules interact.
  • Hands-on software experience, with the ability to code in Python or C++.
  • Highly collaborative in nature, with strong abilities to think and communicate analytically and effectively.

Bonus Points
  • Background in autonomous vehicles ideally with L4 AV deployment.
  • Prior experience building computational models for driving behavior or ML based metrics for behavior evaluation.
  • Familiarity with safety standards and methodologies like STPA, ISO-21448, ISO 8800.
  • Experience developing a safety case or compiling evidence supporting a safety case in a structured manner.

At Nuro, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. For this position, the reasonably expected base pay range is between $176,400 and $319,720 for the level at which this job has been scoped. Your base pay will depend on several factors, including your experience, qualifications, education, location, and skills. In the event that you are considered for a different level, a higher or lower pay range would apply. This position is also eligible for an annual performance bonus, equity, and a competitive benefits package.
At Nuro, we celebrate differences and are committed to a diverse workplace that fosters inclusion and psychological safety for all employees. Nuro is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and expressly prohibits any form of workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics. #LI-DNP