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Camera Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Camera Systems Software Engineer to own camera integration and enablement for real-time robotic systems built on NVIDIA Tegra platforms. This person ...

As part of our Camera Technologies group, you'll help design the innovative technology that allows each generation of Apple products to produce photos even more incredible than the last. You'll ...

Camera System Integration Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$137K - $143K/yr

As part of our Camera Technologies group, you'll help design the innovative technology that allows each generation of Apple products to produce photos even more incredible than the last. You'll ...

Camera Systems Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$148K - $222K/yr

Apply deep expertise in Camera and Imaging Engineering to research and develop industry-leading Image Signal Processing (ISP) solutions. * Design, develop, implement, and verify highly complex ISP ...

Camera Control-Systems Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$159K - $166K/yr

The Camera Systems Engineering Group develops systems, calibration, and correction procedures to maintain high image quality over a wide range of use cases and component variation. Past projects have ...

Infrared Camera Systems Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$139K - $145K/yr

You will be the Infrared Camera Systems Engineer for the Infrared Sensor Development team at LockheedMartin.Our team designs, builds and sustains advanced IR sensor hardware that powers next ...

The Camera Systems Engineering Group develops systems, calibration, and correction procedures to maintain high image quality over a wide range of use cases and component variation. Past projects have ...

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Camera information

See California salary details

$13

$27

$61

How much do camera jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for camera in California is $27.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $30.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Camera vs Photographer?

AspectCameraPhotographer
Required CredentialsNone, but technical knowledge helpsPhotography courses, portfolio
Work EnvironmentEquipment-focused, studio or outdoorVaried locations, client sites, studios
Industry UsageDevice used by photographersProfessionally captures images
Primary FocusCapturing imagesCreating artistic or commercial photographs

While a camera is a device used to capture images, a photographer is a person skilled in using a camera to produce photographs. The camera is a tool, whereas the photographer applies creativity, technical skills, and experience to create compelling images. Understanding this difference helps clarify roles in photography-related careers and job searches.

What are the typical challenges a Camera Operator faces when working on live events or broadcasts?

Camera Operators working on live events or broadcasts often face the challenge of capturing dynamic action in real time, requiring quick reflexes and a strong understanding of event flow. They must maintain steady shots and proper framing while adapting to unpredictable movements or changes in lighting. Collaboration with directors, producers, and other crew members is crucial to ensure seamless coverage, and operators must remain attentive and communicative throughout the production. Success in this role depends on technical proficiency, situational awareness, and effective teamwork.

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

To thrive as a Camera Operator, you need a solid understanding of cinematography, camera equipment, and visual storytelling, often supported by a degree in film, broadcasting, or a related field. Familiarity with professional camera systems (such as RED, ARRI, or Sony), lighting setups, and editing software is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help camera operators collaborate effectively and capture compelling footage. These skills are crucial for producing high-quality visual content that meets creative and technical standards in film, television, or live production environments.

How much do you earn as a cameraman?

The average salary for a cameraman varies by experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $30,000 to $70,000 per year. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals working on major productions can earn significantly more. Skills in operating professional cameras and understanding lighting are important for higher-paying roles.

What does a camera operator do?

A camera operator is responsible for capturing visual content for television, film, or live events by operating cameras and related equipment. They work closely with directors and other crew members to achieve the desired shots and angles, ensuring the visual style matches the project's creative vision. Camera operators must have a good eye for detail, understand technical aspects of cameras, and be able to adapt to different shooting environments. Their work is crucial in bringing stories to life and creating compelling visual experiences.
What are the most commonly searched types of Camera jobs in California? The most popular types of Camera jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Camera jobs? Cities in California with the most Camera job openings:

Camera Systems Software Engineer

Skild AI

San Mateo, CA

$146K - $153K/yr

Other

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Camera Systems Software Engineer to own camera integration and enablement for real-time robotic systems built on NVIDIA Tegra platforms. This person will be responsible for the full camera lifecycle, from defining requirements with external camera partners to integrating, debugging, and maintaining low-latency camera pipelines using the Tegra camera stack.
This is a highly hands-on systems role that sits at the intersection of Linux, camera hardware, real-time software, calibration, synchronization, and high-level software interfaces. The ideal candidate has deep experience bringing up camera sensors, debugging low-level hardware/software issues, working with camera vendors, and building reliable APIs that expose synchronized camera data to perception, robotics, and autonomy systems.

Responsibilities
  • Own camera systems end to end, including vendor requirements, sensor/module selection, hardware bring-up, software integration, debugging, calibration, validation, and long-term maintainability.
  • Work directly with camera vendors and hardware partners to define requirements for custom cameras, including sensors, optics, frame rates, exposure behavior, synchronization, timestamping, calibration needs, mechanical constraints, thermal constraints, and image-quality targets.
  • Develop and maintain low-level camera software, including sensor configuration, camera drivers, device-tree changes, capture-path validation, timestamp handling, metadata handling, and camera control interfaces.
  • Debug camera issues across the hardware/software boundary, including MIPI CSI-2, GMSL or FPD-Link, I2C control, power/reset/clock sequencing, dropped frames, timestamp instability, bandwidth limits, corrupted images, ISP behavior, and sensor-mode configuration.
  • Design reliable, low-latency camera pipelines for real-time robotic systems, with careful attention to buffering, memory movement, CPU/GPU interaction, scheduling, throughput, timing jitter, and dropped-frame behavior.
  • Build clean high-level APIs that expose camera frames, timestamps, metadata, calibration parameters, diagnostics, and health/status information to perception, autonomy, logging, and product software.
  • Collaborate closely with perception, robotics, embedded systems, electrical engineering, and external hardware partners to ensure the camera stack is reliable, observable, and production-ready.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience with embedded camera systems, including sensor bring-up, camera module integration, driver-level debugging, and board-level validation.
  • Strong proficiency in C/C++ for Linux or performance-sensitive systems, including multithreading, memory management, profiling, and low-latency software design.
  • Experience with camera interfaces and supporting hardware, such as MIPI CSI-2, I2C, GMSL, FPD-Link, serializers/deserializers, power sequencing, reset sequencing, clocks, and sensor mode tables.
  • Experience developing or modifying Linux camera drivers, device trees, V4L2 drivers, media controller graphs, or similar low-level camera integration components
  • Strong understanding of vision requirements for real-time systems, including timestamping, synchronization, buffering, scheduling, latency measurement, jitter reduction, dropped-frame analysis, and deterministic data delivery.
  • Experience with multi-camera synchronization, hardware triggering, PTP, PPS, camera-IMU synchronization, or other precise timing systems.
  • Working knowledge of image sensors and imaging pipelines, including Bayer formats, RAW capture, YUV/RGB formats, HDR modes, exposure/gain control, white balance, ISP behavior, and image-quality tradeoffs.
  • Proficient with debugging tools and workflows, including kernel logs, tracing, profiling, oscilloscopes or logic analyzers, long-duration test scripts, capture validation tools, and reproducible failure isolation.