ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Motion Control Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SLR Search

Sr Systems Control Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$105K - $137K/yr

... custom motion control and HMI systems. -- Active mastery of RS Logix, PointIO, OPC UA, and ... state-of-the-art engineering and automation technical facility in the Greater Los Angeles area ...

New

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsMotion Control Engineering Jobs

Motion Control Engineering information

See salary details

$77K

$88.4K

$98K

How much do motion control engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for motion control engineering in the United States is $88,400.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,000.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is motion control engineering?

Motion control engineering is a field focused on the design and implementation of systems that control the movement of machines or mechanical systems. This often involves the use of motors, actuators, sensors, and controllers to achieve precise positioning, speed, and acceleration in applications such as robotics, manufacturing automation, and aerospace. Motion control engineers work with both hardware and software to develop efficient, reliable movement solutions. Their work is critical in industries where accurate and repeatable movement is required.

What is the difference between Motion Control Engineering vs Robotics Engineering?

AspectMotion Control EngineeringRobotics Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Control Engineering; certifications in automation or control systemsBachelor's in Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering; certifications in robotics or automation
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, automation facilities, R&D labsResearch labs, manufacturing, autonomous systems development
Industry UsageAutomation, CNC machines, industrial equipmentAutonomous robots, drones, robotic arms
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Motion Control Engineering focuses on designing and implementing systems that precisely control movement in machinery and automation equipment. Robotics Engineering encompasses the broader development of robotic systems, including sensors, control algorithms, and mechanical design. While both roles require control system knowledge and similar credentials, Motion Control Engineers specialize in movement precision within industrial settings, whereas Robotics Engineers work on creating autonomous and interactive robotic systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Motion Control Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Motion Control Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical or mechanical engineering, with expertise in automation, robotics, and control systems. Familiarity with PLC programming, servo systems, CAD software, and relevant certifications (such as Certified Motion Control Professional) is typically required. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with cross-functional teams and troubleshoot complex systems. These competencies ensure precise, efficient, and reliable motion solutions critical to manufacturing and automation industries.

What are some common challenges faced by motion control engineers when integrating new automation systems into existing manufacturing environments?

Motion control engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility between new automation components and legacy systems, minimizing downtime during integration, and maintaining precise synchronization across various machines. Troubleshooting communication protocols and adapting control algorithms to fit unique production requirements can also be complex. Effective collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as maintenance and software engineers, is essential to address these challenges and achieve a seamless integration process.
More about Motion Control Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Motion Control Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Motion Control Engineering job openings:
What states have the most Motion Control Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Motion Control Engineering jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Motion Control Engineering jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Motion Control Engineering jobs are:
Motion Control Engineering jobs near you
Staff Systems Engineer, Motion Control

Staff Systems Engineer, Motion Control

Waymo

Mountain View, CA • On-site

$230K - $284K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has focused on building the Waymo Driver-The World's Most Experienced Driver™-to improve access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. The Waymo Driver powers Waymo's fully autonomous ride-hail service and can also be applied to a range of vehicle platforms and product use cases. The Waymo Driver has provided over ten million rider-only trips, enabled by its experience autonomously driving over 100 million miles on public roads and tens of billions in simulation across 15+ U.S. states.
Hardware Engineering is an innovative and collaborative group of electrical, mechanical, reliability, software and vehicle engineers. We design, build, and perfect the products which are the eyes and ears of Waymo's autonomous driving technology, and integrate those products into vehicle platforms. We're seeking curious and talented teammates to keep us moving in the right direction.
This role follows a hybrid work schedule and you will report to Systems Engineering Manager.
You will:
  • Derive requirements on trajectories and motion control algorithms, from safety goals and product performance objectives.
  • Lead the sign-off of hardware and software subsystems for new releases and expanded scope
  • Build analysis tools (e.g. dashboards, database queries, scripts) for large-scale analyses of Waymo's massive datasets.
  • Write risk assessments that trade off performance and reliability.
  • Continuously improve Waymo analysis and evaluation processes to reduce time to deployment.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of engineers to solve complex technical challenges, and contribute to a culture of clear communication and high standard

You have:
  • 7+ years of Systems Engineering experience decomposing safety goals to requirements for motion control, motion planning, or dynamics.
  • Must have direct experience in developing requirements for multiple systems that apply across multiple products, software versions, or hardware iterations
  • Demonstrated experience writing Python code to analyze data, and understanding C++ production code
  • Project management experience
  • Strong collaboration skills with test engineers, software engineers, and other systems engineers
  • Master's Degree in a relevant field (e.g. Mechanical, Computer, Electrical Engineering, CS, Robotics, Systems Design) or equivalent industry experience

We prefer:
  • Autonomous vehicle or similar experience working on systems with safety-critical hardware and software components
  • Experience with analyzing very large datasets (hundreds of thousands of records, high frequency)
  • Test engineering experience

The expected base salary range for this full-time position across US locations is listed below. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location or, if the role can be performed remote, the specific salary range for your preferred location, during the hiring process.
Waymo employees are also eligible to participate in Waymo's discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements.
Salary Range
$230,000-$284,000 USD

Apply