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Motor Control Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Principal Motor Engineer

Mountain View, CA ยท On-site

$160K - $240K/yr

Select and validate motor control algorithms, drive electronics, and feedback systems for precise ... Technical degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics with focus on ...

Pivotal is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Motor Controls Engineer to help develop ... Support selection of control architecture, sensing approach, and inverter strategies based on ...

Pivotal is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Motor Controls Engineer to help develop ... Support selection of control architecture, sensing approach, and inverter strategies based on ...

Motor Controls Engineer II - R&D

Palo Alto, CA ยท On-site

$98K - $127K/yr

Pivotal is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Motor Controls Engineer to help develop ... Support selection of control architecture, sensing approach, and inverter strategies based on ...

Sr. Electrical Engineer

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$115K - $150K/yr

Sr. Electrical Engineer Location : Irvine, CA- Onsite Contract/ Fulltime Visa: US C Broad Job ... Lead technical efforts for motor control systems, from concept through production and sustainment

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Showing results 1-20

Motor Control Engineer information

See California salary details

$60.2K

$107.4K

$173.2K

How much do motor control engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for motor control engineer in California is $107,351.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,900.00 and $124,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Motor Control Engineer do?

A Motor Control Engineer designs, develops, and optimizes control systems for electric motors used in various applications, such as automotive, industrial automation, and robotics. They work with hardware and software to improve motor efficiency, performance, and reliability. This involves developing algorithms, implementing firmware, and testing motor control strategies. They may also collaborate with other engineers to integrate motor control solutions into larger systems.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Motor Control Engineer?

Motor Control Engineers spend much of their day designing, testing, and optimizing control algorithms for electric motors used in a variety of applications, such as automotive, robotics, or industrial automation. Daily tasks often include developing simulation models, programming microcontrollers, analyzing motor performance data, and troubleshooting system issues both in the lab and during on-site testing. Collaboration with hardware engineers, software developers, and product managers is common to ensure seamless integration of motor control systems. This hands-on and team-oriented work environment allows engineers to solve complex challenges and contribute directly to product innovation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Motor Control Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Motor Control Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, control theory, and motor systems, usually demonstrated by a relevant degree and practical experience. Familiarity with simulation software (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink), embedded systems, and industry standards, as well as certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, are often required. Strong problem-solving skills, communication abilities, and a collaborative mindset help engineers excel in multidisciplinary project teams. These skills ensure precise, efficient, and innovative motor control solutions that meet rigorous performance and safety standards.

What are the most commonly searched types of Motor Control Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Motor Control Engineer jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Motor Control Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Motor Control Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Motor Control Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Motor Control Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Motor Control Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 56% Full Time, 38% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,351 per year, or $51.6 per hour.
Principal Motor Engineer

Principal Motor Engineer

Matic

Mountain View, CA โ€ข On-site

$160K - $240K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

Company Overview
Each year, 2.5 trillion hours are spent on household chores. At Matic, we're on a mission to recapture that lost time, and we're doing it by revolutionizing home robotics.
Our first product, also called Matic, is a Wall-E-esque floor cleaning robot. We've built what amounts to "full self-driving in the home" with real-time 3D mapping, adaptive path-tracking, and a precise semantic understanding of the home. Our breakthroughs in spatial AI allow Matic to work reliably in real homes, using only RGB cameras and neural networks running on-device.
Privacy First
What happens in the home, stays in the home. Our robots are private by design, with all data processing performed by the robot itself, not in the cloud.
Our Approach
Before the iPhone, consumers adopted several distinct devices; cell phones, PDAs, and portable music players each served a particular need. We believe in a similar progression for home robotics, starting with single-purpose robots and building iteratively toward more complex capabilities over time.
Our Culture
Matic is a tight-knit and collaborative team, singularly focused on building products our customers will cherish. We're ultra-hardworking people committed to solving tough problems that save precious time and energy.
About the role
As a Motor Design Expert, you'll architect the actuators of our robotic systems - the motors that power every movement and action. You'll work at the intersection of electromagnetics, acoustics, and controls to create motors that are whisper-quiet, incredibly efficient, and manufacturable at scale.
If you're passionate about pushing the boundaries of motor technology and obsessed with achieving the impossible combination of performance, silence, and cost, we'd love to talk to you about how you can help us revolutionize home robotics.
What you'll do
  • Own end-to-end motor architecture from electromagnetic design through production validation for all motorized subsystems
  • Design custom motor solutions optimizing for acoustic performance (<60dBA), efficiency (>85%), form factor, cost (<$15/unit), and scalability to 100k+ units/year
  • Perform electromagnetic FEA simulations for motor optimization including flux density, cogging torque, and back-EMF analysis
  • Select and validate motor control algorithms, drive electronics, and feedback systems for precise motion control
  • Develop motor specification requirements balancing torque density, thermal management, and acoustic emissions
  • Design accelerated life testing protocols specific to motor failure modes including bearing wear, insulation breakdown, and demagnetization
  • Collaborate with suppliers on custom rotor/stator designs, winding patterns, and manufacturing processes
  • Drive cost reduction initiatives through design optimization, material selection, and manufacturing process improvements
  • Work cross-functionally with NVH, controls, and thermal teams to achieve system-level optimization

What we look for
  • Technical degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics with focus on electromagnetics
  • 5+ years of experience designing motors for high-volume consumer products or automotive applications
  • Deep understanding of motor physics including electromagnetics, thermal dynamics, and rotordynamics
  • Proven track record of shipping custom BLDC, PMSM, or reluctance motor designs in products
  • Experience with motor simulation tools such as ANSYS Maxwell, JMAG, or Motor-CAD
  • Expertise in motor control theory including FOC, sensorless control, and active vibration damping
  • Understanding of acoustic principles related to motor design including slot/pole combinations and skewing techniques
  • Experience with bearing systems, lubrication, and tribology for long-life applications
  • Familiarity with motor manufacturing processes including winding, magnetization, and balancing
  • Knowledge of safety standards and certifications (UL, CE) for motor-driven appliances
  • Comfort with fast-paced, startup atmosphere -- you don't shy away from the hard work
  • High level of maturity, ownership, and pride in your work

We'd love to hear from you if...
  • You are genuinely motivated to help those around you
  • You are passionate about learning outside of your normal comfort zones
  • You love diagnosing complex technical issues
  • You are excited to do great work

Compensation:
Base: $160,000 - $240,000 per annum.
Actual Compensation will depend on skills, experience and qualifications. Base Salary is one part of the total compensation package. The role is also eligible for equity through the company's discretionary equity program, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision coverage access to a 401(k) plan.