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Computer Research Scientist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical ... Research background in machine learning, artificial intelligence, robot learning, computational ...

The ideal Research Scientist candidate will use their skills in system design and modeling and ... Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or ...

Senior Research Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$116K - $147K/yr

D. in Mathematics, Theoretical Physics, Computer Science, or a related field. • Five years of ... or research setting • Demonstrated ability to apply analytical thinking and problem-solving ...

Research Scientist, AI

Redwood City, CA · Hybrid

$214K - $375K/yr

PhD in computer science or a related field, or equivalent experience * Significant experience building and scaling deep learning systems, ideally in research-driven environments * Strong engineering ...

Showing results 41-60

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 Aug 10, 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 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 still in demand?

Computer research scientists are in high demand due to ongoing advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analysis. They typically require strong programming skills and advanced degrees, and employment opportunities are expected to grow faster than average in the coming years.

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 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 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 cities in California are hiring for Computer Research Scientist jobs? Cities in California with the most Computer Research Scientist job openings:
Infographic showing various Computer Research Scientist job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $130,720 per year, or $62.8 per hour.

Research Scientist - LLM

Rethink Recruit

Redwood City, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
Retell AI is a pioneering company in the voice AI sector, aiming to revolutionize call centers with intelligent AI workers. They are seeking a Research Scientist specializing in LLMs to explore new techniques, develop evaluation methods, and prototype systems that enhance voice AI performance.
Responsibilities:
• Explore and develop new techniques across LLMs and audio models to improve reasoning, latency, and conversational quality in real-time systems
• Rapidly build and iterate on models and pipelines, turning research ideas into working prototypes; innovate on paradigms, training methods, and inference
• Design novel evaluation frameworks, datasets, and metrics to measure performance on complex, real-world voice tasks
• Collaborate closely with engineering to translate research insights into deployable systems
• Develop methods to incorporate human evaluation into model improvement, especially for subjective conversational quality
• Stay at the cutting edge of ML research and bring new ideas into Retell's product and infrastructure
Qualifications:
Required:
• Strong ML research background with experience on advanced problems such as LLM pre-training and post-training, transcription model training, TTS, or multimodal systems, in industry or academia
• Deep technical foundation in PyTorch, model architectures, and the math behind modern machine learning
• Master's degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, AI, or a related field; PhD preferred; equivalent research-level engineering experience also considered
Preferred:
• First or co-author publications at top-tier venues such as NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, ACL, or Interspeech, or notable competition awards
• Experience translating research into systems that work in real-world, production environments
• Comfort operating in fast-paced environments with high ownership and ambiguity
Company:
Rethink Recruit offers staffing and recruiting services, focusing on efficient hiring solutions. Founded in 2020, the company is headquartered in Los Angeles, USA, with a team of 2-10 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.