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Perception Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lead Perception Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$110 - $150/hr

You will work on cutting‑edge 100,000‑pound autonomous robots and engineer complex systems at the intersection of hardware, software, robotics, and AI. Build perception algorithms and ...

Lead Perception Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$120K - $158K/yr

You'll collaborate daily with ML researchers, software engineers, robotics engineers, and hardware teams to design, build, and deploy perception and worldunderstanding systems that directly influence ...

Lead Perception Engineer

Palo Alto, CA

$120K - $158K/yr

You will work on cutting-edge 100,000-pound autonomous robots and engineer complex systems at the intersection of hardware, software, robotics, and AI. Build perception algorithms and architecture ...

Lead Perception Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$189 - $310.50/hr

... perception, planning, control, and HMI towards production targets with Toyota. WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR? We are seeking a Lead Engineer to serve as the right‑hand partner (to work in hand) to the ...

New

Senior Robot Perception Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$70K - $300K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Robotics Perception Engineer to own and advance perception capabilities for our federal autonomy programs. In this role, you will lead development of the perception stack ...

We're looking for a Senior Robotics Perception Engineer to own and advance perception capabilities for our federal autonomy programs. In this role, you will lead development of the perception stack ...

We're looking for a Senior Robotics Perception Engineer to own and advance perception capabilities for our federal autonomy programs. In this role, you will lead development of the perception stack ...

To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai As a Senior Perception Engineer, you will be at the forefront of advancing and deploying perception algorithms for our self-driving vehicles. You will work closely ...

Showing results 21-40

Perception Engineer information

See California salary details

$12

$55

$79

How much do perception engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for perception engineer in California is $55.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39.62 and $73.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a perception engineer?

A Perception Engineer develops and optimizes computer vision and sensor-based systems to help machines interpret and understand their surroundings. This role involves working with data from cameras, LiDAR, radar, and other sensors to create models for object detection, tracking, and scene understanding. Perception Engineers commonly work in fields like robotics, autonomous vehicles, and augmented reality, utilizing machine learning and signal processing techniques. Their goal is to enhance a system’s ability to perceive and react to its environment accurately and efficiently.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a perception engineer?

As a Perception Engineer, your typical day involves designing, developing, and testing algorithms that help automated systems interpret sensor data from sources such as cameras, lidar, and radar. You’ll spend time collaborating with cross-functional teams, including hardware engineers and software developers, to integrate perception solutions into larger systems like autonomous vehicles or robotics platforms. Regular tasks include data collection and annotation, debugging, performance optimization, and participating in code reviews. This role often requires a balance of independent problem-solving and teamwork to ensure reliable and accurate perception capabilities in ever-changing environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the perception engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Perception Engineer, you need a strong background in computer vision, sensor fusion, machine learning, and robotics, usually supported by a degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field. Experience with programming languages like Python or C++, deep learning frameworks (such as TensorFlow or PyTorch), and familiarity with tools like ROS and OpenCV are commonly required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are valuable soft skills that set top candidates apart. These skills are crucial for developing and optimizing perception systems that enable machines to understand and interact with complex real-world environments.

How do you become a perception engineer?

To become a perception engineer, typically a bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field is required. Relevant skills include experience with computer vision, machine learning, and programming languages like Python or C++, along with knowledge of sensor data processing and AI frameworks. Gaining hands-on experience through internships or projects is also beneficial.

What does a perception engineer do?

A perception engineer develops algorithms and systems that enable machines to interpret sensory data such as images, audio, and lidar. They work on tasks like object detection, scene understanding, and sensor fusion, often using machine learning and computer vision tools. Their work is essential in fields like autonomous vehicles, robotics, and advanced driver-assistance systems.

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

The top searched job categories for Perception Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Perception Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Perception Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Perception Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,938 per year, or $55.3 per hour.

Lead Perception Engineer

Teleo, Inc.

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$110 - $150/hr

Other

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

Teleo, a Havoc company, is a robotics company that transforms construction heavy equipment, including loaders, dozers, excavators, and trucks, into autonomous robots for commercial and defense applications. Our technology enables a single operator to supervise and control multiple machines simultaneously, delivering significant productivity gains while improving operator safety and comfort.

Teleo was founded by a team of experienced technology leaders who previously led the development of Lyft's Self-Driving Car program and Google Street View. Teleo recently announced its merger with Havoc AI, a fast-growing defense technology company developing coordinated fleets of autonomous maritime vessels.

This is a unique opportunity to join a team building technology with real-world impact. You will work on cutting‑edge 100,000‑pound autonomous robots and engineer complex systems at the intersection of hardware, software, robotics, and AI.

Build perception algorithms and architecture, fusing multiple sensor modalities and supporting an evolving set of novel object classes, in order to provide safe operations for heavy machinery working on construction and mining sites.

Core Responsibilities
  • Re‑use, adapt and extend existing perception algorithms (such as those commonly used in AV applications) to be applied to Teleo's operational domain and develop novel multi‑modal perception algorithms
  • (Re‑)Train models as Teleo's operational domain evolves
  • Develop auto‑annotation and auto‑labeling tools using SoTA methods, such as VLMs
  • Define evaluation protocols that correlate with on‑ground performance
  • Drive active learning: select the right data
  • Integrate tightly with MLOps for continuous deployment
Required Qualifications
  • M.S. or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • 3+ years in applied ML with large‑scale datasets
  • Strong Python + PyTorch
  • Experience shipping perception or ML systems into production
  • Systems thinker: understands data, models, infra as one system
Strong Experience With
  • Auto‑annotation techniques like VLM‑based labeling
  • Model evaluation beyond single metrics (failure modes, edge cases)
  • Perception tasks: detection, segmentation, depth, tracking
  • Multi‑modal data (camera, LiDAR, radar)
Nice to Have
  • Dataset management & slicing
  • Experience with synthetic data or simulation
  • Large‑scale data pipelines (Parquet, Arrow, object storage)

Teleo is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. All qualified people are encouraged to apply.

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Teleo logo

About Teleo

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Industrial automation equipment manufacturing

Company size

1 - 10 Employees

Headquarters location

Palo Alto, CA, US

Year founded

2019

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