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Image Processing Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Image Processing Software Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$143.80K - $189.50K/yr

... engineer with interest in surgical imaging and who is driven by a "patients first" purpose. The candidate will have experience in image processing/computer vision, with an emphasis on real-time ...

Senior Camera Image Quality Engineer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$104.30K - $141.40K/yr

Developed by a team of former Instagram and Apple engineers, Rylo's breakthrough stabilization ... The ideal candidate will be knowledgeable in a variety of areas including optics, image processing ...

Senior Camera Image Quality Engineer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$104.30K - $141.40K/yr

Developed by a team of former Instagram and Apple engineers, Rylo's breakthrough stabilization ... The ideal candidate will be knowledgeable in a variety of areas including optics, image processing ...

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Image Processing Engineer information

See California salary details

$5

$61

$88

How much do image processing engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for image processing engineer in California is $61.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51.25 and $65.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does an Image Processing Engineer Do?

An image processing engineer assists with the entire life cycle of data classification algorithms and image processing for a company. Your responsibilities in this career are to analyze data, write reports, develop methods for feature extraction and classification, research basic to advanced image processing algorithms, give presentations, and create visual interpretations of data. Your duties also include working on target detection and tracking, video georeferencing, implementing an image processing system, enhancing new software, and enabling immersive augmented and virtual reality experiences. You also develop algorithms for real 3D images and accurate wireless tracking.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Image Processing Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Image Processing Engineer, you need a strong background in mathematics, computer vision, and programming (often with a degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field). Familiarity with tools and libraries such as OpenCV, MATLAB, Python, and machine learning frameworks is typically expected, along with experience in image analysis algorithms. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and interpret complex results. These skills are crucial for developing robust image processing solutions that meet technical requirements and drive innovation in fields like healthcare, automotive, and security.

What are some common challenges Image Processing Engineers face when working on cross-functional teams?

Image Processing Engineers often collaborate with data scientists, software developers, and hardware engineers, which can present challenges in aligning technical requirements and timelines. One frequent hurdle is ensuring that image processing algorithms integrate seamlessly with broader system architectures, especially when resources or real-time performance constraints are involved. Clear communication and adaptability are key, as team members may have differing levels of understanding of image processing concepts. Building strong collaborative relationships and regularly sharing progress can help overcome these challenges and ensure project success.

What is the difference between Image Processing Engineer vs Computer Vision Engineer?

AspectImage Processing EngineerComputer Vision Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields; knowledge of image processing algorithmsBachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related fields; expertise in computer vision techniques
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, tech companies, imaging hardware firmsTech companies, autonomous vehicles, robotics, AI firms
Industry UsageFocus on image enhancement, filtering, and analysisFocus on object detection, scene understanding, and AI integration

While both roles involve working with visual data, Image Processing Engineers primarily focus on improving and analyzing images through algorithms, whereas Computer Vision Engineers develop systems that interpret and understand visual information for applications like autonomous vehicles and AI. The roles often overlap but differ in their core objectives and application areas.

What are the most commonly searched types of Image Processing Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Image Processing Engineer jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Image Processing Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Image Processing Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Image Processing Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Image Processing Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Image Processing Engineer jobs in CA? For Image Processing Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Image Processing Engineer job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,466 per year, or $61.8 per hour.
Sr. Image Processing Software Engineer

Sr. Image Processing Software Engineer

Intuitive

Sunnyvale, CA โ€ข On-site

$143.80K - $189.50K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Company Description
It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies-like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion-have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.
We're a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.
The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful-because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.
If you're ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you'll find your purpose here.
Job Description
The goal of the Advanced Imaging team is to design, prototype, test, and implement next-generation optical imaging technologies to enable surgeons to see more, gather information, and enhance their visual surgical experience. We are looking for a strong, systems-oriented software engineer with interest in surgical imaging and who is driven by a "patients first" purpose. The candidate will have experience in image processing/computer vision, with an emphasis on real-time performance; comfortable operating in a monorepo environment and deploying software; and who is hands-on and self-directed.
The ideal candidate will have strong software development and integration skills, can systematically analyze system performance across complex co-integrated components, diagnose problems in imaging pipelines, and perform rigorous data analysis. They will have opportunities to work on state-of-the-art products and technologies to shape next generation vision system. This individual must possess a strong sense of individual ownership as well a desire to work in cross-functional teams with shared responsibility and on complex projects. This role reports to the Director of Advanced Imaging.
Roles and Responsibilities
  • Develop software in a mixed software/hardware environment that includes Python, C++, CUDA, Matlab on Linux and Windows.
  • Implement image processing blocks from prototype to production environments, considering system data communication strategies and real-time embedded requirements.
  • Create tools and software releases, and debug them on custom surgical system hardware, for evaluation by our partner teams.
  • Lead preclinical data collection and analysis.
  • Write scripts to automate data collection and workflows.
  • Obtain and iterate feedback into design.
  • Establish and maintain strong, productive relationships and collaborations across functional and organizational boundaries.

Qualifications
Required Education, Skills & Experience
  • Minimum of 8 years of experience and a Bachelor's degree; or 6 years of experience and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years of experience; or equivalent experience
  • Proficiency in C/C++ and Python
  • Experience with scripting and/or task automation.
  • Experience designing, implementing, testing and optimizing imaging/image processing pipelines.
  • Knowledgeable in one or more of the following: camera sensors, displays, optics and illumination sources.
  • Experience deploying software to hardware platforms.
  • Experience with software release frameworks and methodologies.

Preferred Skills & Experience
  • CUDA programming experience.
  • Experience with Matlab.
  • Experience with embedded software and/or real-time systems and concepts.
  • Experience developing in a large monorepo environment.

Additional Information
Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19. Details can vary by role.
Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.
Mandatory Notices
U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer: In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR ยง743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employeeswho are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.
Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government's licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan ("TCP") (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).
For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee'sstart date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes.
We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.
Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.
This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidate's experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate's qualifications, consistent with applicable law.
We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.