1

Computer Vision Researcher Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Computer Vision Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$118.20K - $139.40K/yr

... to computer vision research or open-source projects Company : Anduril Industries is a defense technology company that specializes in developing advanced autonomous systems to enhance national ...

We are seeking an Intermediate Computer Vision R&D Engineer to join our team. The candidate will be part of the core team of computer vision engineers. We will be developing new product lines ...

Computer Vision Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$241.50K/yr

Bobyard is a company focused on solving complex computer vision problems that streamline ... Find where we break, why we break, and fix it fast. • Apply research pragmatically: Stay current ...

Computer Vision Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$118.40K - $139.60K/yr

Leverage advanced video and computer vision engineering expertise to research, design, and implement critical video processing and computer vision algorithms, including video encoder, decoder ...

The Video Computer Vision organization within Video Engineering is a centralized applied research ... We strike a balance between research and product development to deliver Apple-quality ...

Computer Vision Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$118.40K - $139.60K/yr

Responsibilities : • Leverage advanced video and computer vision engineering expertise to research, design, and implement critical video processing and computer vision algorithms, including video ...

The Video Computer Vision organization within Video Engineering is a centralized applied research ... We strike a balance between research and product development to deliver Apple-quality ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

Computer Vision Researcher information

See California salary details

$29.6K

$111.6K

$162.3K

How much do computer vision researcher jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for computer vision researcher in California is $111,621.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,100.00 and $152,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Computer Vision Researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Computer Vision Researcher, you need a strong background in mathematics, machine learning, image processing, and typically a graduate degree in computer science or a related field. Experience with deep learning frameworks (such as TensorFlow or PyTorch), programming languages (like Python or C++), and familiarity with relevant research publications are highly valued. Creativity, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills help researchers innovate and effectively share findings. These competencies are vital for advancing technology, developing novel algorithms, and collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.

What are some common challenges faced by Computer Vision Researchers when transitioning from theoretical research to practical applications?

Computer Vision Researchers often encounter challenges when moving from theoretical models to real-world deployment, such as dealing with noisy or incomplete data, ensuring scalability, and optimizing models for real-time performance. Collaborative work with software engineers and domain experts is crucial to address these issues and to adapt state-of-the-art algorithms for production environments. Additionally, staying updated with rapidly evolving tools and frameworks is essential for successfully bridging the gap between research and application.

What does a Computer Vision Researcher do?

A Computer Vision Researcher develops algorithms and models that enable computers to interpret and understand visual information from the world, such as images and videos. They work on tasks like object detection, image segmentation, and facial recognition, often using techniques from machine learning and artificial intelligence. Their work is applied in fields such as autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, robotics, and augmented reality. Computer Vision Researchers typically conduct experiments, publish scientific papers, and collaborate with engineers to implement their findings in real-world applications.

What is the difference between Computer Vision Researcher vs Machine Learning Engineer?

AspectComputer Vision ResearcherMachine Learning Engineer
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD in Computer Science, AI, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Data Science, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, R&D departmentsTech companies, startups, product teams
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutions, AI-focused companiesTechnology firms, software companies, AI product development
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While both roles involve AI and machine learning, a Computer Vision Researcher primarily focuses on developing algorithms for visual data analysis and often works in research settings. In contrast, a Machine Learning Engineer applies machine learning techniques to build scalable AI products and solutions in industry environments.

What job categories do people searching Computer Vision Researcher jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Computer Vision Researcher jobs in California are:

Principal Computer Vision Researcher - Advanced Technology Group

Dolby

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Join the leader in entertainment innovation and help us design the future. At Dolby, science meets art, and high tech means more than computer code. As a member of the Dolby team, you'll see and hear the results of your work everywhere, from movie theaters to smartphones. We continue to revolutionize how people create, deliver, and enjoy entertainment worldwide. To do that, we need the absolute best talent. We're big enough to give you all the resources you need, and small enough so you can make a real difference and earn recognition for your work. We offer a collegial culture, challenging projects, and excellent compensation and benefits, not to mention a Flex Work approach that is truly flexible to support where, when, and how you do your best work.
The Advanced Technology Group (ATG) is the research division of the company. ATG's mission is to look ahead, deliver insights, and innovate technological solutions that will fuel Dolby's continued growth. Our researchers have a broad range of expertise related to computer science and electrical engineering, such as AI/ML, algorithms, digital signal processing, audio engineering, image processing, computer vision, data science & analytics, distributed systems, cloud, edge & mobile computing, computer networking, and IoT.
What You'll Do
As a senior research leader in image and video processing, you will shape the future of Dolby's imaging technologies by focusing on three core areas:
Cutting-Edge Research
  • Lead hands-on research at the intersection of classical image processing and modern AI methods.
  • Invent and advance next-generation image/video capture technologies (sensors, camera signal processing, 3D spatial capture).
  • Drive projects that enhance image delivery, analysis, rendering, and content creation technologies.
  • Collaborate with global research teams to set research directions and fuel Dolby's licensing and cloud businesses.

Mentorship & Team Development
  • Guide and mentor a high-performing team of researchers in image processing, computer vision, graphics, and content enhancement.
  • Foster an innovative, transparent, and results-oriented research culture.
  • Develop and nurture junior researchers into independent contributors and future leaders.

Technology Strategy & Collaboration
  • Define research roadmaps in partnership with ATG leaders and align resources to global initiatives.
  • Work closely with Dolby's Business Groups to translate research breakthroughs into real-world products.
  • Influence Dolby's long-term technology strategy through collaboration with product managers, program managers, and engineering teams worldwide.
What You Bring
  • Ph.D. + 8+ years of corporate research experience in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or Computer Science.
  • Proven expertise and publication record in image sensors, lenses, camera signal processing, spectral/3D modeling, geometry, and calibration.
  • Deep knowledge of AI and machine learning, including:
    • Network architectures, deployment modes, data augmentation, and performance analysis.
    • Generative models (diffusion, autoregressive, autoencoders).
    • Self-supervised and contrastive learning.
    • Applications in vision, audio, or multimodal domains (e.g., source separation, segmentation, synthesis, captioning, language models).
  • Experience with GPU/CPU architectures, embedded systems, and SoC platforms for ML/AI deployment.
  • Strong record of innovation, patents, and publications in top conferences (NeurIPS, ICLR, ICML, CVPR, etc.).
  • Skilled in C/C++ and Python with hands-on research and prototyping experience.
  • Proven ability to manage, mentor, and inspire research teams.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills with a passion for turning research into products with global impact.

The San Francisco/Bay Area base salary range for this full-time position is $238,900-$292,500, which can vary if outside this location,plus bonus, benefits, and some roles may also include equity. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, competencies, experience, market demands, internal parity, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range and perks and benefits for your location during the hiring process.
Dolby will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of San Francisco Police Code, Article 49, and Administrative Code, Article 12
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Dolby is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our success depends on the combined skills and talents of all our employees. We are committed to making employment decisions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, marital status, family status, medical condition, disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.