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Reinforcement Learning Engineer Jobs in California

Dexmate

Robot learning engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

The Robot Learning Engineer will design and implement advanced learning algorithms for robot ... reinforcement learning, imitation learning, and foundation models, etc. • Scale ML systems for ...

Apple

Machine Learning Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

As a Machine Learning Engineer on our core AI/ML team, you will design and build GenAI-powered ... and reinforcement learning Solid understanding of core machine learning concepts, including ...

Human Archive

Machine Learning Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Build post-training and reinforcement learning systems around robotics failure modes and corrective ... Engineers who want their work to directly impact the next frontier of physical AGI * Strong ML ...

Oscar Technology

AI Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$230K - $280K/yr

Senior AI Engineer / Machine Learning Engineer / Python Software Engineer Location: San Jose, CA ... Experience with LLMs, Reinforcement Learning, or similar AI technologies * Strong understanding of ...

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All JobsReinforcement Learning Engineer JobsReinforcement Learning Engineer Jobs in California

Reinforcement Learning Engineer information

See California salary details

$37.5K

$114.3K

$189K

How much do reinforcement learning engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for reinforcement learning engineer in California is $114,347.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,900.00 and $149,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Reinforcement Learning Engineers?

Reinforcement Learning Engineers are specialized professionals who design, develop, and implement algorithms based on reinforcement learning, a type of machine learning where agents learn to make decisions by receiving rewards or penalties. They work on building models that enable machines to learn optimal actions through trial and error in complex environments. Their responsibilities often include developing RL architectures, tuning hyperparameters, running simulations, and applying RL methods to real-world problems like robotics, gaming, or recommendation systems. RL Engineers typically have strong backgrounds in computer science, mathematics, and deep learning, along with experience in programming languages like Python and frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.

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

To thrive as a Reinforcement Learning Engineer, you need a strong background in machine learning, mathematics (especially probability and statistics), and programming languages like Python, often supported by a relevant degree in computer science or engineering. Familiarity with deep learning frameworks (such as TensorFlow or PyTorch), RL libraries (like OpenAI Gym), and cloud computing platforms is typically required. Problem-solving skills, creativity, and effective collaboration help set outstanding engineers apart in this field. These competencies enable the design and deployment of advanced RL solutions that address real-world challenges and drive innovation.

What are some common challenges faced by Reinforcement Learning Engineers when deploying models in real-world environments?

One of the main challenges Reinforcement Learning (RL) Engineers face is bridging the gap between simulation and real-world deployment. Models that perform well in controlled environments may struggle with unpredictable data, safety constraints, or limited feedback in production. Additionally, RL algorithms often require significant computational resources and careful tuning to avoid instability. Collaboration with domain experts and software engineers is essential to address these issues and ensure successful integration of RL solutions into existing systems.

What is the difference between Reinforcement Learning Engineer vs Machine Learning Engineer?

AspectReinforcement Learning EngineerMachine Learning Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS, AI, or related; experience with RL frameworksBachelor's/Master's in CS, Data Science, or related; experience with ML algorithms
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, AI startups, tech companies focusing on RL applicationsTech companies, data-driven firms, AI departments across industries
Industry UsageSpecialized in RL projects like robotics, game AI, autonomous systemsBroader applications including predictive modeling, NLP, computer vision

Reinforcement Learning Engineers focus on developing algorithms that learn through interactions with environments, often in robotics or gaming. Machine Learning Engineers work on a wider range of models and applications. While both roles require strong programming and math skills, RL Engineers specialize in sequential decision-making, whereas ML Engineers handle diverse data-driven tasks across industries.

What are popular job titles related to Reinforcement Learning Engineer jobs in California? For Reinforcement Learning Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Reinforcement Learning Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Reinforcement Learning Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Reinforcement Learning Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Reinforcement Learning Engineer job openings:
Reinforcement Learning Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Reinforcement Learning Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,347 per year, or $55 per hour.

Machine Learning Engineer - Robot Manipulation

Maven Robotics

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Company Overview

Maven Robotics is building the world's leading general-purpose AI robots.

We are currently operating in stealth and are growing the world's best team in AI robotics. We are looking for self-starters that are the world's best in their field, who can innovate from a deep understanding of the fundamentals, and who share our values of unwavering truth seeking and integrity, humility, curiosity, and relentless determination.

Role Description

We are looking to recruit an exceptional Machine Learning Engineer - Robot Manipulation to design, implement, test, and deploy robot manipulation algorithms that enable assembly and material movement tasks.

In this role you will:

  • Design and implement machine learning algorithms, with a focus on reinforcement learning (RL) and imitation learning (IL), to enable robotic manipulators to perform complex tasks in dynamic environments.
  • Translate high-level objectives into machine learning problems and deploy robust, scalable models to real-world robotic systems.
  • Integrate your ML solutions into existing robotics workflows, ensuring that models are performant in both simulated and real-world settings.
  • Drive innovation by incorporating the latest research in machine learning into practical applications that push the boundaries of robotic manipulation.
  • Take ownership of critical ML projects, seeing them through from conception to successful deployment.
  • Collaborate across disciplines to ensure seamless integration of ML models and provide technical mentorship to junior engineers.
Qualifications

Must-have:

  • MS or PhD in machine learning, computer science, robotics, or a related field.
  • Strong practical experience in training and deploying machine learning models for real-world applications.
  • Deep understanding of reinforcement learning (RL) and imitation learning (IL) and their application to robotics.
  • Proficiency in programming languages and tools commonly used in machine learning (e.g., Python, PyTorch).
  • Experience with data collection, preprocessing, and management in the context of training ML models.
  • Self-starter attitude with strong ability to identify problems, prioritize them, then plan and execute working solutions.
  • Enthusiasm for working in a fast paced startup environment and eagerness to support the team on a variety of topics.

Nice-to-have:

  • Familiarity with robotic simulation environments (e.g., Gazebo, MuJoCo) and experience in sim-to-real transfer.
  • Experience in:
    • Designing and implementing reward functions for complex manipulation tasks.
    • Developing models that can handle noisy, incomplete, or sparse data.
    • Deployment of ML models to edge devices for real-time inference.
    • Accelerating ML training processes using GPU, TPU, or other HW accelerators.
    • Using reinforcement learning frameworks, e.g. Stable Baselines, RLlib, or similar.
  • General knowledge of robotics principles, including kinematics, dynamics, and control.
  • Publications or contributions to the machine learning community, particularly in areas related to robotics or reinforcement learning.

Apply