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Building Robots Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Applied Scientist, Fauna

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$107K - $146K/yr

We believe that future won't arrive until building for robotics becomes far more accessible Today, too much effort is spent reinventing the fundamentals. We're changing that by developing tightly ...

Join Us in Building the Future of Home Robotics At Sunday, we're developing personal robots to reclaim the hours lost to repetitive tasks. We're focused on an ambitious goal to make generalized ...

We believe that future won't arrive until building for robotics becomes far more accessible. Today, too much effort is spent reinventing the fundamentals. We're changing that by developing tightly ...

Sr. Applied Scientist, Fauna

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$107K - $146K/yr

We believe that future won't arrive until building for robotics becomes far more accessible Today, too much effort is spent reinventing the fundamentals. We're changing that by developing tightly ...

We believe that future won't arrive until building for robotics becomes far more accessible. Today, too much effort is spent reinventing the fundamentals. We're changing that by developing tightly ...

Charge Robotics is a Series A startup building robots that build solar farms. They are seeking a Head of Engineering to lead the engineering team through the transition from first commercial ...

... robots and building iteratively toward more complex capabilities over time. Our Culture Matic is a tight-knit and collaborative team, singularly focused on building products our customers will ...

Sr. Applied Scientist, Fauna Robotics

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$107K - $146K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We're building robots that feel responsive, expressive, and genuinely useful. At Fauna, you'll work at the frontier of this space, helping define how robots move, manipulate, and interact with people ...

... robots and building iteratively toward more complex capabilities over time. Our Culture Matic is a tight-knit and collaborative team, singularly focused on building products our customers will ...

Position Overview You will have the unique opportunity to work with our cutting-edge robots and help shape the future of their capabilities. Data collection is a critical component of building ...

Senior Quality Engineer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

About Us Foundry Robotics is building an AI-native robotics manufacturing company focused on deploying advanced assembly and production capability for leading robotics companies and national-security ...

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Autonomous Robotics Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

We are a deep-tech robotics company building industrial, fully autonomous systems designed to operate in harsh, real-world environments. Alongside our robotics platforms, we are developing a ...

Showing results 21-40

Building Robots information

See California salary details

$17

$31

$51

How much do building robots jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for building robots in California is $31.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.14 and $36.06 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does building robots involve?

Building robots involves designing, constructing, and programming machines that can perform tasks automatically or with minimal human intervention. This process typically includes selecting and assembling hardware components like sensors, motors, and controllers, as well as writing software to control the robot's actions. Robot builders often work in teams and may specialize in areas such as mechanical design, electronics, or artificial intelligence. The field is multidisciplinary, requiring knowledge in engineering, computer science, and sometimes even biology or material science.

How to get into building robots?

Building robots is a career that typically requires a background in engineering, computer science, or robotics, along with skills in programming, electronics, and mechanical design. Gaining hands-on experience through projects, internships, or coursework, and learning tools like CAD software and programming languages such as Python or C++, can help prepare for roles in robotics development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a robotics engineer?

To thrive as a Robotics Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science, typically supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with CAD software, programming languages like Python or C++, and experience with robotics platforms such as ROS are essential. Problem-solving, creativity, and strong teamwork skills help you innovate and overcome technical challenges. These competencies ensure the successful design, construction, and integration of complex robotic systems in real-world applications.

What profession builds robots?

Robotics engineers and roboticists are the professionals who design, develop, and build robots. They typically have backgrounds in mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering and use tools like CAD software and programming languages to create robotic systems. These roles often require a bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or related fields.

What job lets you build robots?

A robotics engineer or robotic technician is responsible for designing, building, and testing robots. These roles typically require knowledge of engineering, programming, and mechanical systems, often using tools like CAD software and programming languages such as Python or C++. Certifications in robotics or engineering can enhance job prospects in this field.

Is building robots a high paying field?

Building robots is generally a well-paying field, especially for roles such as robotics engineers and automation specialists, who often have advanced degrees and skills in programming, mechanical design, and electronics. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and industry, with many positions offering competitive compensation due to the technical expertise required.

What is the difference between Building Robots vs Robotics Technician?

AspectBuilding RobotsRobotics Technician
Required CredentialsEngineering degrees, certifications in robotics or automationTechnical diplomas or certifications in robotics or electronics
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, manufacturing facilities, research centersManufacturing plants, maintenance workshops, field service
Employer & Industry UsageRobotics companies, tech firms, research institutionsManufacturers, automation service providers, industrial facilities

Building Robots involves designing, developing, and assembling robotic systems, often requiring engineering expertise. Robotics Technicians focus on installing, maintaining, and repairing robots, typically with technical certifications. Both roles are integral to the robotics industry but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are some common challenges faced when working on a team that builds robots, and how can I prepare to overcome them?

Teams that build robots often encounter challenges such as integrating complex hardware and software systems, managing tight project timelines, and troubleshooting unforeseen technical issues. Collaboration and clear communication are essential, as successful projects typically require input from mechanical, electrical, and software engineers. To prepare, familiarize yourself with cross-disciplinary workflows, build strong problem-solving skills, and be ready to adapt to rapidly changing project requirements. Being proactive in seeking feedback and staying current with industry best practices can also help you navigate these challenges effectively.
What job categories do people searching Building Robots jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Building Robots jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Building Robots jobs? Cities in California with the most Building Robots job openings:
Infographic showing various Building Robots job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, and 67% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $66,404 per year, or $31.9 per hour.

Operations Manager, Robotics Data

Foundry Robotics Inc

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

About Us
Foundry Robotics is building an AI-native robotics manufacturing company focused on deploying advanced assembly and production capability for leading robotics companies and national-security-critical hardware. Basically, we're building robots that build robots.
We are reimagining manufacturing through advanced robotics. Our mission is to rebuild the American manufacturing industry as an AI-first, assembly-focused, dual-use contract manufacturer. We aim to empower manufacturers with intelligent, efficient, and adaptable robotic systems that redefine productivity and quality.
The Role
This role is for an Operations Manager who thrives on building and running a high-performance contractor workforce, equally comfortable designing onboarding programs from first principles and walking the floor to fix what's broken in real time. You will own the people-and-process layer that turns billable contractor hours into delivered, usable data, managing 50+ operators executing UMI gripper, egocentric, and VR teleop data collection against real customer contracts. You will stand up workforce operations from scratch and drive rapid build-test-learn cycles to deliver an operation that is both rigorous and scalable.
You will partner closely with the Technical Program Manager, Robotics Data, to own rig calibration, QA spec, and the data pipeline handoff. Together you are accountable for whether the floor ships what the model teams need.
Key Responsibilities
  • Own the end-to-end workforce lifecycle for 50+ operators, including sourcing, screening, hiring, onboarding, certification, performance management, and offboarding
  • Run the daily operations cadence, including shift planning, station assignments, breaks, and coverage
  • Manage shift leads (3-5 direct reports) and operate escalation paths into engineering
  • Build and review operator scorecards weekly, tracking success rate, rejection rate, and throughput, surfacing and managing the 60-95% quality variance common across operators
  • Design and execute a quality-first incentive structure
  • Build the onboarding curriculum and certification gating, ensuring no operator captures production data until certified on the rig and task
  • Run live floor QA, catching issues in real time against SOPs co-authored with the TPM
  • Execute operator training, certification, and pilot batch readiness when new tasks ramp up
  • Own fleet readiness on the floor, including daily rig health checks, in-shift swaps, spares staging, and ensuring every station is production-ready at shift start
  • Own contractor timekeeping, the payroll vendor relationship, and floor logistics including layout, station configuration, supplies, badging, safety, EHS, and facilities
  • Manage VR teleop floor logistics, including headset hygiene, motion sickness rotation policies, and controller battery and charging logistics
  • Run a continuous improvement program (Kaizen / 6S) focused on throughput, ergonomics, and station efficiency
  • Build the career ladder for top operators (operator โ†’ senior โ†’ trainer โ†’ shift lead)
  • Define and report against operations-level OKRs for throughput, quality, and operator performance
  • Enforce data governance on the floor, ensuring operators handle customer data per contractual and regulatory requirements
What We're Looking For
  • 3-5 years managing a contractor or hourly workforce of 30+ in a high-throughput operations environment (data collection, AV ops, manufacturing, fulfillment, clinical trials, field ops)
  • Proven ability to build workforce operations from the ground up and improve on existing programs
  • Comfortable owning operator scorecards, SOP execution, and standardization
  • Equally effective at a desk and on the floor, with deep hands-on experience running a shift and solving problems in real time
  • Track record tracking and improving operational metrics (throughput, quality, retention, certification rates)
  • Experience designing onboarding, certification, and performance management programs in a cross-functional environment
  • Collaborative by nature, you consider downstream impacts on data quality, engineering, and operators when making operational decisions
  • Bias toward action, scrappy problem solving, and moving fast without sacrificing rigor
Why Join Us?
This is one of the only places where world-class manufacturing operators, mechanical engineers, robotics researchers, and software engineers sit in the same room - building production systems together.
We are committed to being deeply embedded in the U.S. industrial base. Our focus is simple: build adaptive robotic assembly systems that make American manufacturing scalable, resilient, and competitive again.
If you want to run a mature, well-defined commercial org, this may not be the role.
If you want to build the commercial engine that brings AI-driven manufacturing to every industrial and energy customer in America - this is it.
The base salary range for this full-time position in the location of San Francisco is:
$150,000-$250,000 USD
Compensation packages at Foundry Robotics for eligible roles include base salary, equity, and benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position, determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, interview performance, and relevant education or training. Foundry Robotics employees in eligible roles are also granted equity based compensation, subject to Board of Director approval. You'll also receive benefits including, but not limited to: Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, and generous PTO.