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Computer Research Scientist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Adobe

Research Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $238K/yr

The Opportunity Adobe Research is looking for research scientists in Generative AI to join a world ... D. in Computer Science, AI/ML or related fields Excellent publication record in Computer Science ...

Adobe

Research Scientist

San Jose, CA

$120K - $238K/yr

The Opportunity Adobe Research is looking for research scientists in Generative AI to join a world ... D. in Computer Science, AI/ML or related fields Excellent publication record in Computer Science ...

Cogent Security

Research Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The Research Scientist role involves driving foundational and applied research in automated ... An MSc or PhD/DPhil in Computer Science or a closely related technical field • Proven Track ...

Hedra

Research Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $325K/yr

As a Researcher, you will drive original research into the intersection of generative modeling ... PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field, with publications at top ...

FAR.AI

$120K - $190K/yr

PhD or several years research experience in computer science, artificial intelligence, machine learning or statistics. Benefits* * Health Insurance - 94% of Insurance premium paid by Organization ...

Waabi

Research Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$158K - $269K/yr

As a research scientist, you will invent new AI technologies that enable our launch of fully ... Qualifications: - Masters/PhD degree in Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, Computer Vision ...

Waabi

Research Scientist

San Francisco, CA

$158K - $269K/yr

As a research scientist, you will invent new AI technologies that enable our launch of fully ... Qualifications: - Masters/PhD degree in Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, Computer Vision ...

Waabi

Research Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$158K - $269K/yr

As a research scientist, you will invent new AI technologies that enable our launch of fully ... Qualifications: - Masters/PhD degree in Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, Computer Vision ...

Goodfire

Research Scientist

San Francisco, CA

$200K - $400K/yr

PhD or equivalent experience in ML, computer science, or a quantitative science. * Deep familiarity ... Experience leading research or contributing to open-source codebases. * Familiarity with ...

Google

Research Scientist, Stitch

Mountain View, CA · On-site

PhD in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience. * 2 years of experience leading a research agenda. * Experience with modern ML frameworks such as JAX or PyTorch.

Substrate

Research Scientist, AI

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $275K/yr

Research Scientist, AI Substrate is addressing one of the most important technological problems ... PhD in Physics, Materials Science, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or related field

ChipAgents

Research Scientist

San Jose, CA · On-site

$150 - $350/hr

Degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent research experience). * Strong background in large language models, deep learning, and modern ...

Goodfire

Research Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $400K/yr

PhD or equivalent experience in ML, computer science, or a quantitative science. * Deep familiarity ... Experience leading research or contributing to open-source codebases. * Familiarity with ...

ChipAgents

Research Scientist

San Jose, CA · On-site

$350K/yr

Degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent research experience). * Strong background in large language models, deep learning, and modern ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsComputer Research Scientist JobsComputer Research Scientist Jobs in California

Computer Research Scientist information

See California salary details

$89.3K

$130.7K

$141.6K

How much do computer research scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for computer research scientist in California is $130,720.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,500.00 and $141,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a computer research scientist?

Computer Research Scientists are professionals who invent and design new approaches to computing technology and find innovative uses for existing technology. They conduct research to solve complex problems in computing, develop new computer hardware and software, and work to advance the field of computer science as a whole. Their work often includes developing algorithms, working with big data, and improving the efficiency and security of computer systems. They are typically employed in academia, government, and private industry research labs. A strong background in mathematics, logic, and programming is essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a computer research scientist?

To thrive as a Computer Research Scientist, you need a strong background in computer science, mathematics, and algorithm development, usually supported by a master's or doctoral degree. Familiarity with programming languages (such as Python, C++, or Java), machine learning frameworks, and research publication tools is typically required. Analytical thinking, creativity, and effective communication are essential soft skills for designing innovative solutions and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for advancing technology, solving complex problems, and contributing impactful research to the field.

What are some common challenges faced by computer research scientists when transitioning a theoretical concept into a practical application?

Computer Research Scientists often encounter challenges when moving from theory to practice, such as aligning their innovative solutions with existing technologies, managing resource limitations, and ensuring scalability. Collaborating with engineers and product teams is essential to adapt research prototypes into real-world systems that are robust and efficient. Additionally, balancing the need for scientific rigor with the fast-paced demands of industry can require effective communication and flexibility. Overcoming these challenges not only enhances the impact of their research but also provides valuable experience for career advancement.

What is the difference between Computer Research Scientist vs Data Scientist?

AspectComputer Research ScientistData Scientist
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD in Computer Science, related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Statistics, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, R&D departmentsBusiness environments, tech companies, analytics teams
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, government agencies, research institutionsCorporations, startups, consulting firms
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding research roles in computingAnalyzing data to inform decisions

Computer Research Scientists focus on developing new algorithms, theories, and computing methods, often working in research settings. Data Scientists analyze large datasets to extract insights and support business decisions. While both roles require strong technical skills, their work environments and primary objectives differ significantly.

Are computer research scientists paid well?

Computer research scientists typically earn above-average salaries compared to many other tech roles, with median annual pay often exceeding $100,000. Salaries vary based on experience, education, location, and industry, and advanced skills in machine learning, data analysis, and programming can lead to higher compensation.

Are computer research scientists still in demand?

Computer research scientists are in high demand due to ongoing advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analysis. They often work in research labs, tech companies, and academia, requiring strong programming skills and advanced degrees. Employment prospects are strong across various industries focused on innovation and technology development.

What are popular job titles related to Computer Research Scientist jobs in California?

For Computer Research Scientist jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Computer Research Scientist jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Computer Research Scientist jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Computer Research Scientist jobs?

Cities in California with the most Computer Research Scientist job openings:

Computer Research Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Computer Research Scientist job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,720 per year, or $62.8 per hour.

Research Scientist

MBZUAI (Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence)

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
MBZUAI is a dedicated research lab focused on advancing AI through foundational models. As a Research Scientist, you will work on data-centric large language model (LLM) development, leading research and implementation efforts to enhance reasoning capabilities and integrate cutting-edge research with robust engineering.
Responsibilities:
• Lead research and implementation of reasoning-enhanced LLM capabilities through novel data collection, architecture design, and system integration.
• Design and implement pipelines to collect, curate, and structure open-source and web-scale data relevant to reasoning tasks, ensuring scalability and reproducibility.
• Build robust software to support fine-tuning, evaluation, and deployment of LLMs that interact with structured and unstructured knowledge bases.
• Collaborate with ML researchers to create, test, and evaluate new approaches in information retrieval, agentic search, and RAG (retrieval-augmented generation) pipelines.
• Rapidly prototype tools, APIs, and infrastructure for enabling LLMs to reason over external information, and build datasets for identifying and analyzing LLM failure modes.
• Communicate research findings in internal documents and external publications (e.g., top-tier conferences like ACL, ICLR, NeurIPS).
• Contribute to design/code reviews and foster engineering best practices in a high-performance research environment.
• Represent MBZUAI at conferences and forums, promoting institutional leadership in safe, efficient, and high-impact AI systems.
• Perform all other duties as reasonably directed by the line manager that are commensurate with these functional objectives.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Master’s in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience required.
• Experience working with large language models, including fine-tuning, prompt engineering, and multi-modal interaction.
• Strong Python development skills with a focus on research-grade code and scalable data pipelines.
• Familiarity with collecting and processing large-scale datasets from open-source and web resources.
• Demonstrated ability to work with ML infrastructure (e.g., model evaluation, optimization, debugging).
• Proactive mindset with the ability to identify impactful research questions and execute on them with minimal supervision.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills for working in cross-functional teams.
Preferred:
• PhD or equivalent research experience in Machine Learning, NLP, or Data Science with a focus on reasoning and LLMs preferred.
• Experience designing and deploying agentic LLM systems, reasoning benchmarks, or RAG pipelines.
• Background in building complex knowledge retrieval systems (e.g., knowledge graphs, semantic search, indexing).
• Strong publication record in leading AI conferences (e.g., ICLR, ACL, NeurIPS, EMNLP).
• Familiarity with performance constraints in production environments and the trade-offs in model and data design.
• Prior contributions to open-source ML research or data tools.
Company:
Official account of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. Dedicated to research, innovation, and empowering brilliant minds in AI. Founded in 2019, the company is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, ARE, with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.

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