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Computational Cognitive Science Jobs in California

... Computational Physics, or related field * Prior experience / qualifications in Marketing platforms, media management. If you have a background in Cognitive sciences / Human Psychology (Consumers ...

Researcher, Alignment

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$250K - $445K/yr

Have a PhD or equivalent experience in research in computer science, computational science, data science, cognitive science, or similar fields. * Have strong engineering skills, particularly in ...

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Computational Cognitive Science information

See California salary details

$36K

$64.6K

$119.9K

How much do computational cognitive science jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for computational cognitive science in California is $64,613.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,800.00 and $68,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the most common challenges faced by professionals in computational cognitive science?

One of the main challenges in Computational Cognitive Science is integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines such as psychology, neuroscience, and computer science to build and validate complex models of human cognition. Professionals often have to balance rigorous experimental design with advanced computational techniques, all while staying current with rapidly evolving technologies and research findings. Collaboration with diverse teams—including software engineers, data scientists, and behavioral researchers—is common and may require adjusting communication styles to bridge knowledge gaps. Successfully navigating these challenges can make a significant impact in both academic and industry settings, leading to advancements in artificial intelligence, user experience design, and human-computer interaction.

What is a computational cognitive science?

A Computational Cognitive Science job involves using computational models, artificial intelligence, and data analysis to study human cognition, including learning, reasoning, perception, and decision-making. Professionals in this field work at the intersection of cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and computer science to develop simulations and algorithms that mimic human thought processes. They may apply their expertise in academia, tech companies, healthcare, or AI research, contributing to advancements in human-computer interaction, machine learning, and cognitive system design.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in computational cognitive science?

To thrive in Computational Cognitive Science, a strong background in cognitive psychology, computer science, and mathematics—often supported by a relevant advanced degree—is essential. Experience with data analysis software (such as Python, R, or MATLAB), machine learning libraries, and experimental design tools is typically expected. Critical thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for success in this field. These abilities enable professionals to design robust experiments, analyze complex data, and translate insights into impactful research or product developments.

Is computational cognitive science a good career?

Computational cognitive science is a multidisciplinary field that combines psychology, computer science, and neuroscience to study mental processes using computational models. Careers in this area often involve research, data analysis, and programming skills, with job opportunities in academia, industry, and research institutions. The field offers growth potential for those with strong analytical and technical skills, and it typically requires advanced degrees such as a master's or Ph.D.

What kind of jobs can I get with a computational cognitive science degree?

A degree in computational cognitive science prepares individuals for roles such as cognitive scientist, data analyst, machine learning engineer, user experience researcher, and artificial intelligence specialist. These jobs often involve skills in programming, data analysis, modeling, and understanding human cognition, typically requiring familiarity with tools like Python, MATLAB, or R.
What job categories do people searching Computational Cognitive Science jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Computational Cognitive Science jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Computational Cognitive Science jobs? Cities in California with the most Computational Cognitive Science job openings:
Infographic showing various Computational Cognitive Science job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $64,613 per year, or $31.1 per hour.

Senior Data Scientist - Data for Perception Machine Learning

Zoox

Foster City, CA

$190K - $258K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled data scientist to join the Perception Data and Labeling team.. The team is responsible for training and evaluation data powering the perception (vision, lidar, and other modalities) ML models at Zoox. The candidate will work alongside data ops partners, ML engineers, software developers, and data engineers to improve model performance through high quality human- and auto-labeled data.
In this role, you will:
  • Define and implement scalable data quality measures across complex, multimodal data labeling pipelines
  • Drive data-centric ML model improvements to achieve critical Zoox milestones
  • Support an org-wide data ontology and class structure for perception models
  • Determine trade-offs and integrations between human-labeled, human-in-the-loop, and zero-shot autolabeled data
  • Build metrics to quantify labeling throughput, capacity, and annotator/vendor quality
Qualifications:
  • Master's or PhD degree in a field relevant to autonomous driving (computer science, robotics) to the analysis of human data (computational neuroscience, cognitive science) or a related field
  • Proficient using data query languages (SQL and/or Spark/scala) to quickly build complex yet efficient data queries at scale and using Python to build production-quality code
  • Proficient in exploratory data analysis (EDA) and data visualization to understand and present trends and their implications for the business.
  • Background in statistical modeling and analysis; including experience making data-driven decisions that connect point and uncertainty estimates to business impact.
  • Experience with data-centric ML development and data curation
Bonus Qualifications:
  • Experience with experiment design and statistical comparisons (A/B testing, parametric/non-parametric statistics, etc.)
  • Experience with human data collection, including annotation task design
There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.
 
Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.