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Lidar Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Ouster

Product Manager - Lidar

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Our groundbreaking digital lidar architecture is transforming what's possible, delivering an unprecedented combination of performance, reliability, and affordability. This technology isn't just an ...

Seyond

Staff LiDAR System Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

Seyond is a leading global provider of image-grade LiDAR technology, powering a safer, smarter and more mobile world across the automotive, intelligent transportation, robotics and industrial ...

Seyond

Staff LiDAR System Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

Seyond is a leading global provider of image-grade LiDAR technology, powering a safer, smarter and more mobile world across the automotive, intelligent transportation, robotics and industrial ...

Seyond

Staff LiDAR System Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

Job Summary We are seeking a Staff LiDAR System Engineer to lead system-level architecture, performance optimization, validation, and application development for our LiDAR products. This individual ...

Ouster

Product Manager - Lidar

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Our groundbreaking digital lidar architecture is transforming what's possible, delivering an unprecedented combination of performance, reliability, and affordability. This technology isn't just an ...

Ouster

Product Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Ouster is a leading global provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors, dedicated to building a safer and smarter future. They are seeking a Product Manager to maintain the product roadmap and ...

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Lidar information

See California salary details

$12

$21

$42

How much do lidar jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for lidar in California is $21.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $21.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lidar technician?

A LiDAR technician is a professional who operates and manages Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) equipment to collect and process spatial data. They use laser-based technology to create detailed 3D maps and models of terrain, vegetation, buildings, and other structures. LiDAR technicians often work in fields such as surveying, environmental science, forestry, and civil engineering. Their responsibilities typically include planning data collection missions, calibrating equipment, analyzing collected data, and producing reports or visualizations for clients or stakeholders.

What are lidar jobs?

LIDAR is a sensing method that is used remotely for light detection and radar. A laser, scanner, and GPS receiver record light pulses from the air and combine them with additional data to provide a detailed 3D map of the surface of Earth. LIDAR jobs have duties that focus on accurately mapping natural and manmade environments. Your responsibilities may differ by position, but you help survey the surface and use a sensor to understand various structures on Earth. Some examples of jobs that work with LIDAR include a software engineer, an electronics technician, an embedded software developer, and a UAV/drone pilot.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lidar specialist?

To thrive as a Lidar Specialist, you need expertise in remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and a background in fields like geography, engineering, or environmental science. Familiarity with Lidar processing software (such as LAStools, ArcGIS, or TerraScan), GIS systems, and sometimes FAA drone certification are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail help in interpreting complex data and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure accurate data collection, processing, and application of Lidar technology for mapping, surveying, and environmental monitoring projects.

What are some typical challenges lidar specialists face when working on large-scale mapping projects?

Lidar specialists working on large-scale mapping projects often encounter challenges such as managing and processing vast amounts of point cloud data, ensuring data accuracy in varied terrain or weather conditions, and integrating Lidar data with other geospatial datasets. Effective collaboration with surveyors, GIS analysts, and project managers is critical to meet tight deadlines and project requirements. Familiarity with specialized software and strong problem-solving skills help Lidar professionals address these challenges and deliver reliable results.

What is the difference between Lidar vs Photogrammetrist?

AspectLidarPhotogrammetrist
Required CredentialsTypically requires a degree in geospatial, surveying, or related fields; certifications like ASPRS are commonRequires a degree in geography, geomatics, or related fields; certifications like ASPRS are also common
Work EnvironmentWorks with laser scanning equipment, often outdoors or in survey environmentsUses aerial or terrestrial imagery, often in office or field photo analysis settings
Industry UsageUsed in surveying, mapping, autonomous vehicles, forestryUsed in mapping, land development, environmental studies, archaeology

Both Lidar and Photogrammetrist roles require geospatial knowledge and certifications. Lidar specialists focus on laser scanning technology for precise 3D data, often outdoors, while Photogrammetrist professionals analyze imagery to create maps and models, typically in office or field photo analysis settings. They serve overlapping industries like surveying and mapping but use different data collection methods.

How to become a Lidar specialist?

To become a Lidar specialist, individuals typically need a background in engineering, computer science, or geospatial sciences, along with experience in working with Lidar hardware and software. Gaining skills in data processing, 3D modeling, and programming languages like Python or C++ is essential, and certifications in GIS or remote sensing can enhance job prospects. Practical experience through internships or projects involving Lidar data collection and analysis is highly valuable.

What careers use LiDAR?

LiDAR is used in various careers such as surveying, geospatial analysis, autonomous vehicle development, environmental research, and mapping. Professionals in these fields operate LiDAR sensors, analyze the data they collect, and often require skills in GIS, remote sensing, or robotics.
More about Lidar jobs

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

The most popular types of Lidar jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Lidar jobs in California?

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

What job categories do people searching Lidar jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Lidar jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Lidar jobs?

Cities in California with the most Lidar job openings:

Lidar jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lidar job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,877 per year, or $21.6 per hour.

Product Manager - Lidar

Ouster

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

At Ouster, we're building a safer, smarter, and more sustainable future by bringing vision to the machines that shape our world. As a leading global provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors, we are the 'eyes' behind the autonomy revolution, powering advancements across a wide range of industries, including automotive, industrial automation, robotics, and smart infrastructure.
Our groundbreaking digital lidar architecture is transforming what's possible, delivering an unprecedented combination of performance, reliability, and affordability. This technology isn't just an incremental improvement-it's a leap forward that is making 3D vision ubiquitous and accelerating the path to a fully autonomous future.
We are a team of ambitious and collaborative people passionate about solving some of the world's most complex technical challenges. We foster a fast-paced, high-impact environment where curiosity is rewarded, and every team member has the opportunity to own their work from concept to reality.
We're looking for a Product Manager for our core hardware products. In this role, your core responsibility will be to maintain the roadmap, and develop the communications and marketing of our lidar sensors. This will include building a strong relationship with our engineering team and acting as the owner of our technical marketing including sensor datasheets, roadmaps, changelogs. You will be the subject matter expert on our sensors, clearly communicate product capabilities, create compelling visual product demonstrations, and assist in defining future products. This is a role for a leader, self-starter, a strong communicator, a hungry learner, someone who is comfortable getting technical with our products, and most importantly someone who wants to have a huge impact in one of the most transformational industries in the world today.
If you're driven to create, innovate, and build technology that will fundamentally change how we live and work, you've come to the right place.
This role is based in San Francisco with a required minimum of 4 days per week in-office
Responsibilities:
  • Deeply understand our technology, working closely with our product and engineering teams.
  • Manage the roadmap and product release timelines and communicate those timelines to our internal teams and external stakeholders
  • Understand how our end-users integrate our products and manage the definition and introduction of accessories to accelerate deployments and improve customer experience
  • Own technical documentation to save our customers time and improve their experience
  • Internally serve as the expert on our sensors technical capabilities and communicate those capabilities in simple language to our internal team and to customers
  • Define our messaging and our content strategies, as well as be a key driver of the product roadmap. Be the expert in how to sell our unique features and technology
  • Understand our technical personas and help create technical focused marketing pushes to them in relevant forums (Github, Reddit, etc.)

You Have:
  • Comfort with highly technical details and a strong curiosity
  • Confident in interpretation of technical lidar topics
  • Outgoing and enjoy outward communication and teaching about lidar technology
  • Exceptional writing and communication skills. Ability to tell a compelling story of how our products solve problems for our customers
  • Great teamwork and teambuilding skills. Ability to build relationships across all functions in the company
  • Bias towards action. You will be the technical expert on our lidar sensor and will need to take an ownership mindset towards all aspects of the product.
  • Ability to work in a fast paced, entrepreneurial, growth minded company
  • Bachelor's Degree or higher in engineering
  • Engineering experience with lidar sensors

Desired but not required:
  • A history or examples of written technical guides
  • Experience with hardware products
  • Worked with other sensors such as 2D lidar, cameras, radar, or thermal cameras

The base pay will be dependent on your skills, work experience, location, and qualifications. This role may also be eligible for equity & benefits. ($105,000-$195,000)
We acknowledge the confidence gap at Ouster. You do not need to meet all of these requirements to be the ideal candidate for this role.
Ouster is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that pursues and hires a diverse workforce. Ouster does not make employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military status, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. Ouster also strives for a healthy and safe workplace, and prohibits harassment of any kind. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Ouster considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
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About Ouster

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

Company size

201 - 500 Employees

Headquarters location

San Francisco, CA, US

Year founded

2015

Social media

Twitter

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