1

First Robotics Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Bring up the first robot platform and sensor stack, and map what world-model evaluation needs. * Days 30-60 - Ship & Validate: Stand up a working robot-to-training data pipeline and a first benchmark.

At Scout AI, we're developing Fury, the first robotic foundation model for defense, to give U.S. forces overwhelming, adaptable, and autonomous power across every domain. Fury enables human operators ...

Robotics Software Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$145K - $220K/yr

At Scout AI, we're developing Fury, the first robotic foundation model for defense, to give U.S. forces overwhelming, adaptable, and autonomous power across every domain. Fury enables human operators ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

First Robotics information

See California salary details

$82.9K

$94.7K

$115K

How much do first robotics jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for first robotics in California is $94,742.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,800.00 and $100,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a First Robotics job?

A FIRST Robotics job typically involves mentoring, coaching, or supporting student teams in designing, building, and programming robots for competitions organized by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). These roles can be volunteer-based or paid positions in schools, nonprofit organizations, or STEM-focused companies. Responsibilities may include teaching engineering concepts, overseeing project management, ensuring safety, and fostering teamwork. Many professionals in this field have backgrounds in robotics, engineering, or computer science.

What does a typical week look like for a FIRST Robotics mentor or coach?

A typical week for a FIRST Robotics mentor or coach involves leading students through project planning, design brainstorming, prototype building, and programming sessions, often during after-school hours or weekends. Mentors coordinate with other team members, provide technical assistance, and help manage deadlines for submissions and competition preparations. Collaboration with teachers, parents, and local industry sponsors is also common, especially when organizing events or fundraising activities. The role is dynamic and rewarding, emphasizing hands-on learning, mentorship, and teamwork as students progress through different stages of the robotics season.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the First Robotics position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a FIRST Robotics mentor or coach position, strong knowledge of engineering principles, robotics design, and hands-on mechanical/electrical skills are fundamental, often supported by experience in STEM fields or education. Familiarity with tools such as CAD software, programming environments like LabVIEW or Java, and FIRST-specific hardware kits is essential. Leadership, teamwork, and effective communication are standout soft skills, as mentors collaborate closely with students and other volunteers. These abilities ensure successful guidance of robotics teams, foster student growth, and help meet competition goals in a dynamic, technical environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of First Robotics jobs in California?

The most popular types of First Robotics jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to First Robotics jobs in California?

For First Robotics jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in California are hiring for First Robotics jobs?

Cities in California with the most First Robotics job openings:

Infographic showing various First Robotics job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 5% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,742 per year, or $45.5 per hour.

FIRST Robotics Coach - FLL/FTC/FRC

Union City, CA โ€ข On-site

Code Ninjas
Software Developmentย โ€ขย 11 - 50 employees

$17 - $19/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 13 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Coach and mentor competitive robotics teams through their official competition seasons and training bootcamps.

  • Guide students in building, programming, and strategizing for robotics competitions, including designing robots and developing game strategies.

  • Communicate regularly with the Center Manager about team progress, tasks, and competition logistics, and update parents on schedules.


Job description

Benefits:
  • Training & development

Who are we?
Code Ninjas is the nation's fastest-growing kids coding and STEM education franchise. At our centers, kids and teens build confidence, critical thinking skills, and teamwork by exploring robotics, coding, and engineering through hands-on experiences. Our mission: Kids have fun, parents see results. Whether they're coding games or programming advanced robots, students are always engaged, growing, and preparing for the future.
What are we looking for?
We are seeking passionate and dedicated FIRST Robotics Coaches / Instructors to lead, mentor, and support our competitive youth robotics teams across multiple divisions: FIRST LEGO League (FLL), FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), and FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC).
This role is perfect for someone who loves hands-on engineering, enjoys working with tech-minded youth, and thrives on mentoring future engineers. You will guide students through the complexities of the official FIRST season and off-season training, helping them design, build, program, and strategize their way to competition success.
Scheduling & Availability Requirements:
  • For FLL Programs: Weekday availability is required.
  • For FTC & FRC Programs: Weekend availability is required.

What you'll do:
  • Coach and mentor competitive teams (ranging from elementary to high school) through their official competition seasons and training bootcamps.
  • FLL Focus: Guide younger students in building and programming autonomous LEGO robots (Spike Prime) to complete complex field missions and develop an innovative Research Project.
  • FTC/FRC Focus: Guide older students in designing and building robust, metal-structured robots using industry-standard parts, control systems, and pneumatics/electronics.
  • Support students in programming languages appropriate to their division (Word Blocks/Python for FLL, advanced Java for FTC and FRC Auto and TeleOp).
  • Mentor teams on game strategy, mechanical design, documentation (Engineering Portfolios/Notebooks), and presentation skills for competitions.
  • Foster a highly collaborative, inclusive, and respectful team environment centered on FIRST Core Values and Gracious Professionalism.
  • Communicate regularly and proactively with the Center Manager regarding team tasks, progress, and competition logistics, while keeping parents updated on schedules.

What you bring:
  • Experience working with children, youth, or teens in a teaching, coaching, or mentoring capacity.
  • Strong technical familiarity with robotics hardware, electronics, and mechanical engineering concepts.
  • Solid programming foundations (Java or Python preferred) or a strong willingness to learn the FIRST software ecosystems.
  • Ability to break down complex engineering and coding principles into structured, student-led milestones.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
  • Reliability, patience, and a genuine passion for competitive STEM education.

Bonus if you have (Preferred Qualifications):
  • Prior experience participating in, mentoring, or coaching FLL, FTC, or FRC teams (Highly desired)
  • An academic or professional background in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science.
  • Experience with CAD software (such as Onshape, Fusion 360, or SolidWorks) for robot design.

Compensation: $17.00 - $19.00 per hour
ABOUT US
Code Ninjasยฎ is the world's largest and fastest-growing kids coding franchise, with hundreds of locations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Founded in 2016, our company is headquartered in Houston, TX. At our centers, kids learn to code while building their own video games. Kids have fun, parents see resultsยฎ.
Code Ninjas is creating the problem solvers of tomorrow. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to unlock their full potential. Educating our youth in coding provides them with the problem-solving skills and self-esteem to pursue their dreams.
This franchise is independently owned and operated by a franchisee. Your application will go directly to the franchisee, and all hiring decisions will be made by the management of this franchisee. All inquiries about employment at this franchisee should be made directly to the franchise location, and not to Code Ninjas Corporate.