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Motion Control Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Automationtechies

Control Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$88K - $114K/yr

You will gain exposure to a variety of industrial automation systems and technologies, including PLCs, HMI/SCADA platforms, motion control, robotics, and machine vision. You should be comfortable ...

Automationtechies

Control Engineer

San Diego, CA

$88K - $114K/yr

You will gain exposure to a variety of industrial automation systems and technologies, including PLCs, HMI/SCADA platforms, motion control, robotics, and machine vision. You should be comfortable ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsMotion Control JobsMotion Control Jobs in California

Motion Control information

See California salary details

$23.5K

$87.7K

$147.4K

How much do motion control jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for motion control in California is $87,726.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,222.00 and $113,590.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a motion control job?

Motion control jobs involve designing, programming, and maintaining systems that control the movement of machinery and equipment. Professionals in this field work with automation technologies, robotics, and specialized software to ensure precise and efficient machine motion in manufacturing, packaging, or other industrial settings. Typical responsibilities include configuring motion controllers, troubleshooting motion systems, and collaborating with engineers to improve production processes. These roles may require knowledge of servo motors, PLCs, drive systems, and relevant programming languages.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a motion control engineer?

To thrive as a Motion Control Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical or mechanical engineering, strong knowledge of automation systems, and expertise in control theory. Familiarity with PLC programming, servo drives, motion controllers, and industry-standard automation software is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set top performers apart in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial for designing, implementing, and troubleshooting motion control systems that ensure precise, efficient industrial automation.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in motion control roles, and how can they be addressed?

Motion control professionals often encounter challenges such as integrating diverse hardware and software platforms, ensuring precise synchronization of motion sequences, and troubleshooting system errors. These roles typically require close collaboration with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to develop customized solutions and optimize system performance. Staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and maintaining clear communication within multidisciplinary teams can help address these challenges and lead to successful project outcomes.

What is the difference between Motion Control vs Robotics Technician?

AspectMotion ControlRobotics Technician
Required CredentialsAssociate's or Bachelor's in Engineering, certifications in PLCs and automationAssociate's or Bachelor's in Robotics, certifications in robotics systems and troubleshooting
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, automation systems, industrial settingsRobotics labs, manufacturing facilities, maintenance environments
Employer & Industry UsageFactories, automation companies, OEMsRobotics companies, manufacturing, research labs

Motion Control and Robotics Technicians both work in automation and manufacturing environments, often sharing similar credentials and work settings. However, Motion Control specialists focus on controlling movement through systems like servos and drives, while Robotics Technicians primarily work on robotic systems and automation equipment. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are popular job titles related to Motion Control jobs in California? For Motion Control jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Motion Control jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Motion Control jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Motion Control jobs? Cities in California with the most Motion Control job openings:
Motion Control jobs near you
Infographic showing various Motion Control job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,726 per year, or $42.2 per hour.

Staff Engineer - Chassis and Motion Controls

Knightscope, Inc.

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

$180K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

AboutKnightscope

Knightscope (NASDAQ: KSCP) is a security technology company building the nation's first Autonomous Security Force - autonomous machines, AI-driven software, and elite security professionals operating as one integrated managed service. The Company is on a mission to make the United States of America the safest country in the world. One Team. One Force.


Job Summary

Knightscope is seeking a Staff Chassis and Motion Control Engineer to lead the mechanical and control systems development of our autonomous security robot platforms. In this role, you will own the design and integration of chassis architecture, suspension, drivetrain, and the motion control systems that govern how our robots move through complex, real-world environments. You will combine deep expertise in vehicle dynamics, mechanical design, and control theory to deliver platforms that are safe, reliable, and capable of operating autonomously across diverse terrain and conditions.


Location Requirement: Full-time, on-site at Sunnyvale HQ (no relocation provided)


About the Role

As a Staff-level engineer, you will set the technical directions for chassis hardware and motion controls and serve as a hands-on technical leader across cross-functional teams. Your responsibilities will span the full development lifecycle, from concept and requirements definition through prototyping, validation, and production.


You will architect chassis and suspension systems that balance stability, payload, durability, and manufacturability while meeting demanding operating requirements. On the controls side, you will develop and tune steering, traction, and motion control algorithms, including steer-by-wire and drive-by-wire subsystems, and define the interfaces between low-level motion control and higher-level autonomy. You will own vehicle-level requirements related to lateral acceleration limits, dynamic stability, and ride quality, deriving them with traceable rigor against relevant functional safety and robotics standards.


Day to day, you will work closely with autonomy, electrical, and systems teams to ensure motion control performance meets the needs of the full stack, lead design reviews and failure analysis, mentor junior engineers, and establish best practices for testing and validation. The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in mechanical engineering and controls, extensive experience taking electromechanical platforms from concept to production, and the judgment to make sound architectural decisions in a fast-moving environment.


Key Responsibilities

  • Design and develop braking, steering, wheel, tire, and suspension concepts that improve cost, mass, efficiency, manufacturability, and serviceability for an autonomous security robot
  • Challenge existing requirements and define new ones for system sizing, functions, and features based on regulations, first principles, and product attributes
  • Appropriately scale automotive architectures for a smaller, lower-volume security robot
  • Assess and validate the manufacturing, assembly, and service feasibility of design proposals
  • Design, analyze, build, and test prototypes at the subsystem, system, and full-vehicle levels
  • Evaluate braking, steering, ride, and handling attributes-both subjectively and objectively-in production vehicles, prototype vehicles, and simulation
  • Collaborate closely with the autonomy team to ensure vehicle controllability
  • Work with cross-functional teams to ensure product requirements are met
  • Define and develop chassis control strategies and electrical architecture, and drive chassis software, electrical, and vehicle integration


Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering
  • Experience designing systems with a combination of custom and off the shelf parts
  • 10+ years of automotive experience
  • Experience with Vector/ETAS/New Eagle tools (CANape, INCA, RaptorCAL, etc.)
  • Strong working knowledge of chassis systems and vehicle dynamics
  • Experience designing, prototyping, and testing mechanical and electromechanical systems
  • Proven delivery of chassis systems, with at least one product taken from concept to production
  • Hands-on experience in prototype development and vehicle validation
  • Familiarity with chassis software development (MATLAB/Simulink/RaptorDEV)
  • Ability to read and work with electrical schematics, with a sound understanding of automotive bus systems (CAN, Ethernet)
  • Understanding of fundamental engineering processes, including hardware and software release, requirements definition, and test planning


Compensation & Benefits

  • Base Salary: $180,000 - $210,000 DOE
  • Equity:Stock options
  • Benefits:Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off
  • Location Requirement:Full-time, on-site at Sunnyvale HQ

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