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Camera Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Staff Software Engineer - Camera

San Diego, CA · On-site

$141.60 - $212.40/hr

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Camera Software Engineering General Summary Took a fantastic photo or video of your favorite subject using your smartphone and wondered how they keep getting ...

Camera Simulation Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$184K - $324K/yr

Description As a Modeling & Simulation Engineer on the Camera & Depth Architecture team, you will design, develop, and maintain high-throughput simulation frameworks to generate large volumes of ...

Apple's Camera ISP team is looking for a passionate and skilled embedded software engineer to help shape the future of imaging across all Apple products. In this role, you'll work at the intersection ...

Camera Mechanical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$93K - $127K/yr

The Camera Hardware Engineering group is responsible for all research, design, development, test, and qualification of camera hardware for Apple products. We are searching for an extraordinary ...

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Camera Software Engineering General Summary: Took a fantastic photo or video of your favorite subject using your smartphone and wondered how they keep getting ...

Description The Camera Hardware Engineering group is responsible for all research, design, development, test, and qualification of camera hardware for Apple products. This team is seeking a ...

Description The Camera Hardware Engineering group is responsible for all research, design, development, test, and qualification of camera hardware for Apple products. This team is seeking a ...

Description As a Modeling & Simulation Engineer on the Camera & Depth Architecture team, you will design, develop, and maintain high-throughput simulation frameworks to generate large volumes of ...

Camera Algorithms Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$150K - $277K/yr

Apple's Camera Algorithm team is looking for extraordinary engineers to work on the image capture and processing/rendering algorithms that serve all Apple product cameras! As part of the team, you ...

Senior Camera Systems Engineer

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$123K - $168K/yr

Planet seeks a Senior Camera Systems Engineer to serve as the primary system architect and technical lead for our next-generation satellite camera modules. In this role, you will bridge the gap ...

Camera Mechanical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$93K - $127K/yr

Description The Camera Hardware Engineering group is responsible for all research, design, development, test, and qualification of camera hardware for Apple products. We are searching for an ...

Camera Mechanical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$93K - $127K/yr

The Camera Hardware Engineering group is responsible for all research, design, development, test, and qualification of camera hardware for Apple products. We are searching for an extraordinary ...

Camera Mechanical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$184.70 - $324.80/hr

Description The Camera Hardware Engineering group is responsible for all research, design, development, test, and qualification of camera hardware for Apple products. We are searching for an ...

Showing results 41-60

Camera Engineer information

See California salary details

$20.1K

$98K

$203.7K

How much do camera engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for camera engineer in California is $97,999.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,566.00 and $112,121.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a camera engineer do?

A Camera Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining camera systems and related imaging technology. They work on both hardware and software aspects, ensuring cameras capture high-quality images and videos for various applications such as smartphones, security systems, or professional photography. Camera Engineers also collaborate with other teams to integrate camera modules into devices and troubleshoot technical issues. Their expertise covers optics, sensors, image processing, and firmware development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a camera engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Camera Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, optics, image processing, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, camera sensor technologies, and programming languages like C++ or Python is typically required, along with knowledge of industry standards. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork make someone stand out in this position. These skills and qualities are crucial for designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting advanced camera systems used in various imaging applications.

What are some common challenges camera engineers face when working on multidisciplinary teams?

Camera Engineers often collaborate with hardware designers, software developers, and image processing specialists, which can present challenges in aligning technical requirements and project timelines. Effective communication is key, as each discipline may have different priorities or constraints. Additionally, integrating camera modules into complex systems often requires balancing image quality, computational efficiency, and hardware limitations. Successfully navigating these challenges can enhance both technical skills and teamwork abilities, making the role rewarding for those who enjoy problem-solving in a collaborative environment.

What is the difference between Camera Engineer vs Camera Technician?

AspectCamera EngineerCamera Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, electronics, or related fieldTechnical diploma or certification in camera systems or electronics
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and test camera systems in labs or R&D settingsInstall, maintain, and repair camera equipment on set or in the field
Industry UsageUsed in manufacturing, product development, and researchCommon in film, television, and live event production

Camera Engineers focus on designing and developing camera systems, while Camera Technicians handle installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of camera equipment. Both roles require technical knowledge, but their daily tasks and work environments differ significantly.

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Camera Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Camera Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Camera Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,999 per year, or $47.1 per hour.

Staff Systems Engineer Autonomy, Autonomy Camera and High Compute Platform

Rivian

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$207 - $258/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Rivian rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 160 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

18th of 45 rated automakers


Job description

About Rivian

Rivianis on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions‑free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.

As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.

Role Summary

In this role you will define, mature, and own requirements for the high compute platform and its camera subsystem. These systems are key elements to Rivian’s autonomy stack, providing the essential platform functions to autonomy services such as the perception and planning systems.

Responsibilities
  • Define, mature, and own requirements for:
    • Device‑side camera software such as for imager and serializer configuration
    • Compute‑side camera software such as for deserializer configuration, integrated ISP configuration, camera drivers, and camera manager software
    • Sourced camera components with integrated processing and associated in‑cabin sensing components (e.g., camera, illuminator, proximity sensing).
    • Platform lifecycle and observable behavior (boot, shutdown, software update/flash, fault and degraded‑mode behavior)
    • Platform‑level resource budgets, data integrity, and the platform guarantees provided to hosted autonomy services
  • Author and maintain specifications that serve as the authoritative source of truth for the software infrastructure implementation team
  • Own supplier‑facing software requirements for sourced camera components, including specification flow‑down and review of supplier verification evidence
  • Define acceptance criteria and verification strategies
  • Author test specifications that can be executed at the device, bench, or HIL level to verify and validate camera pipeline and platform lifecycle behavior
  • Work with the team to build automated verification capabilities for platform‑level requirements
  • Serve as the primary technical interface between the systems engineering team and the software infrastructure team for camera and high compute platform topics
  • Collaborate with the hardware engineering team on compute architecture, resource allocation, and platform topology decisions
  • Support the diagnostics and sensor integration systems engineers by providing platform‑level context and ensuring the camera pipeline meets its domain‑specific needs
  • Participate in design reviews for platform software implementations, providing architectural feedback grounded in the specifications you own
Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related field
  • 10+ years of experience in embedded systems, automotive software platforms, or autonomous vehicle compute systems
  • Experience with camera pipeline development
  • Deep experience with Linux based systems
  • Familiarity with functional safety development processes (ISO 26262)
  • Experience writing system or software architecture documents, requirements specifications, and interface definitions
  • Proficiency in Python (for tooling, automation, data analysis)
  • Demonstrated ability to work cross‑functionally with implementation teams, translating architecture into actionable specifications
  • Experience with requirements management tools (DOORS, Polarion, Jama, or similar)
  • Prior work at an OEM, Tier 1, or autonomy technology company on production vehicle compute platform
Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $206,500-$258,100 for San Francisco Bay Area based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full‑time and part‑time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short‑term disability insurance, and long‑term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full‑time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part‑time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.

Equal Opportunity

Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.

Candidate Data Privacy and Technology

Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.

Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.

How We Use AI in Our Hiring Process: To ensure transparency, we want candidates to know that Rivian uses iCIMS Talent Cloud Artificial Intelligence (TCAI) and AI‑enabled tools to assist with screening, reviewing, organizing and highlighting profiles and applications that match the key requirements for each role.

AI does not make hiring decisions: Qualified candidate applications are reviewed by a member of our team, and all decisions throughout the process are made by humans. We use AI to support efficiency and consistency, not to replace human judgment. We are committed to a fair, thoughtful, and equitable experience for every candidate.

Participation in AI profile matching is entirely voluntary. If you prefer that your profile not be used in this process, you can opt out at any time. Opting out means your profile will be excluded from automated matching and will not be surfaced for additional roles through this system. Your current application remains active and will not be affected in any way.

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About Rivian

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Rivian is a pioneering automotive industry player headquartered in Irvine, California. Established in 2009, the company has made notable advancements in developing sustainable transportation solutions. It is widely recognized for its electric adventure vehicles: the R1T pickup and the R1S SUV. Rivian is dedicated to creating a positive shift in societal mobility and emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and adventure as part of its core values. Their mission is to keep the world adventurous forever - a testament to their commitment in transitioning the world to sustainable transportation. Rivian's achievements are numerous, with one of the most notable being securing a significant multi-billion dollar investment from Amazon for the production of electric delivery vans.

Industry

Automobile dealers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

2009