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Robot Programmer Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Senior Robot Perception Engineer

Irvine, CA ยท 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 ...

Experience improving systems engineering, validation, release-readiness, or reliability processes for robotics or autonomy products * Experience with fielded robotic systems operating in real-world ...

Robotics System Engineer

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$170K - $190K/yr

Experience improving systems engineering, validation, release-readiness, or reliability processes for robotics or autonomy products > * Experience with fielded robotic systems operating in real-world ...

Robotics System Engineer

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$170K - $190K/yr

Experience improving systems engineering, validation, release-readiness, or reliability processes for robotics or autonomy products * Experience with fielded robotic systems operating in real-world ...

Senior Robotics Engineer (Federal)

Irvine, CA

$112.20K - $154K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Robotics Engineer to lead the design, implementation, and deployment of ... Lead the effort to generalize highly specific robot controllers, ensuring new robots can be brought ...

Senior Robotics Engineer (Federal)

Irvine, CA

$112.20K - $154K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Robotics Engineer to lead the design, implementation, and deployment of ... Lead the effort to generalize highly specific robot controllers, ensuring new robots can be brought ...

Robot Autonomy Engineer-Federal

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$70K - $120K/yr

We're looking for a Robot Autonomy Engineer to support testing, deployment, and integration of wheeled robotic platforms across both federal and commercial programs As a Robot Autonomy Engineer at ...

New

Senior Robotics Engineer (Federal)

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$112.20K - $154K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Robotics Engineer to lead the design, implementation, and deployment of ... Lead the effort to generalize highly specific robot controllers, ensuring new robots can be brought ...

Monitor robot behavior during operation to ensure safe and expected performance * Identify ... Partner with engineering teams to clearly communicate issues and drive resolution * Validate fixes ...

Robotics QA / QC Engineer

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$30 - $45/hr

Monitor robot behavior during operation to ensure safe and expected performance * Identify ... Partner with engineering teams to clearly communicate issues and drive resolution * Validate fixes ...

Robotics QA / QC Engineer

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$30 - $45/hr

Monitor robot behavior during operation to ensure safe and expected performance > * Identify ... Partner with engineering teams to clearly communicate issues and drive resolution > * Validate ...

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Robot Programmer information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$17

$38

$55

How much do robot programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for robot programmer in Riverside, CA is $38.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31.83 and $45.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Robot Programmer Do?

The job duties of a robot programmer include working to write, test, and modify programs that direct the actions of robotic equipment. As a robot programmer, your responsibilities typically consist of using robotic software to create directions for manufacturing or industrial applications. You analyze drawings, blueprints, and manufacturing or assembly requirements before programming the equipment. You may also need to physically set up and place the robot in the workspace, test your program before beginning work, and monitor progress to ensure quality during the production run or another process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Robot Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Robot Programmer, you need strong programming skills (such as in Python, C++, or proprietary robot languages), a solid understanding of robotics engineering, and typically a degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with robotic control systems, industrial automation software (like ROS or PLCs), and relevant certifications are often required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for optimizing robotic performance and collaborating with engineering teams. These skills ensure the development, integration, and maintenance of efficient, reliable robotic systems in various industrial applications.

What are some common challenges Robot Programmers face when integrating new robots into existing manufacturing systems?

Robot Programmers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility between new robots and legacy equipment, optimizing robot paths for efficiency, and minimizing downtime during integration. Coordinating closely with engineers, operators, and IT specialists is essential to address communication protocols, safety requirements, and production schedules. Adapting to rapidly evolving technologies and troubleshooting unexpected issues are also key aspects of the role, making strong problem-solving skills and teamwork crucial for success.

What is the difference between Robot Programmer vs Robot Technician?

AspectRobot ProgrammerRobot Technician
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in robotics, engineering, or computer scienceOften requires technical diploma or associate degree in robotics or electronics
Work EnvironmentDesigning, coding, and testing robot programs in labs or manufacturing settingsMaintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing robots on the production floor
Employer & Industry UsageUsed mainly in automation, manufacturing, and robotics developmentCommon in manufacturing plants, assembly lines, and maintenance services

Robot Programmers focus on creating and optimizing robot software, while Robot Technicians handle the installation, maintenance, and repair of robotic systems. Both roles are essential in automation industries but differ in their primary responsibilities and required skills.

What are popular job titles related to Robot Programmer jobs in Riverside, CA? For Robot Programmer jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Robot Programmer jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Robot Programmer jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Robot Programmer jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Robot Programmer job openings:
Infographic showing various Robot Programmer job openings in Riverside, CA as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $80,031 per year, or $38.5 per hour.

Senior Robot Perception Engineer

FieldAI

Irvine, CA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$70K - $300K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Who are We?
Field AI is transforming how robots interact with the real world. We are building risk-aware, reliable, and field-ready AI systems that address the most complex challenges in robotics, unlocking the full potential of embodied intelligence. We go beyond typical data-driven approaches or pure transformer-based architectures, and are charting a new course, with already-globally-deployed solutions delivering real-world results and rapidly improving models through real-field applications.
Learn more at https://fieldai.com.
About the Job
At FieldAI, we're building autonomy for robots that operate in the real world, in harsh environments, and under challenging conditions where traditional sensing breaks down. 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 for robots operating in unstructured terrains, taking responsibility for performance, robustness, and deployment on new platforms and sensor configurations. You'll work hands-on across software and hardware for integrating LiDAR, RADAR and multispectral, and sensing into production autonomy systems and delivering capabilities that directly support customers.
What You Will Do
1. Build and Maintain Perception Systems
  • Design, implement, and maintain perception systems for autonomous robots operating in real-world environments.
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  • Develop robust localization and mapping capabilities that perform reliably in unstructured, off-road, and field conditions.
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  • Continuously evaluate and improve perception performance through testing, iteration, and field validation.
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2. Develop and Integrate Sensor-Based Perception
  • Implement perception algorithms that fuse data from multiple sensors such as LiDAR, cameras, RADAR and inertial sensors.
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  • Support the integration of new sensing modalities and sensor configurations as robotic platforms evolve.
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  • Ensure perception software operates reliably across simulation and real-world deployments.
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3. Deploy Perception Software on Real Robots
  • Bring perception algorithms from development to deployment on physical robotic systems.
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  • Debug and resolve issues discovered during on-robot testing and field operations.
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  • Collaborate with autonomy, controls, and platform teams to ensure perception systems integrate cleanly into the full autonomy stack.
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4. Improve System Robustness and Scalability
  • Contribute to code quality, testing, and long-term maintainability of perception systems.
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  • Develop tools, metrics, and tests to monitor performance and catch regressions over time.
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  • Help scale perception solutions across multiple robots, environments, and missions.
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5. Collaborate Across Teams
  • Work closely with engineers, researchers, and operators to define perception requirements and deliver reliable solutions.
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  • Communicate technical designs, tradeoffs, and results clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
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  • Support field operations and customer demonstrations by ensuring perception systems are production-ready.
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What You Have
  • PhD degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field or MS degree in a related field with 2+ years of industry or applied research experience, or BS degree in a related field with 4+ years of relevant experience.
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  • Strong background in robot perception, localization, and mapping (SLAM) for real-world robotic systems.
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  • Hands-on experience developing and deploying perception software in field robotics environments (not just simulation).
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  • Proficiency in modern robotics software development (C++, Python) and ROS/ROS2 based systems.
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  • Experience working with robot perception and state estimation (VIO, LIO, mapping, sensor fusion etc).
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  • Ability to take ownership of complex subsystems, from design through field deployment and long-term maintenance.
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  • Comfort working close to hardware, including debugging sensor data, calibration, and real-world failures.
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  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to operate independently in fast-moving, small teams.
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The Extras That Set You Apart
  • Experience with thermal, LWIR, or multispectral passive sensing for robotic perception.
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  • Experience integrating and calibrating custom sensor rigs (e.g., stereo, thermal, or multi-LiDAR setups).
  • >
  • Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, performance regression testing, and benchmarking for perception systems.
  • >
  • Experience aligning or unifying perception stacks across multiple platforms or product lines.
  • >
  • Demonstrated leadership in research, field operations, or mentoring junior engineers and researchers.
  • >
  • Knowledge of containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and modern DevOps practices.
  • >

$70,000 - $300,000 a year
Compensation
The salary range for this role is $70,000-$300,000. The actual offer for this position will be based on factors such as relevant experience, competencies, certifications, and how well the candidate meets the qualifications outlined above. Part of our compensation package also includes full benefits, equity, and generous time.
Why Join Field AI?
We are solving one of the world's most complex challenges: deploying robots in unstructured, previously unknown environments. Our Field Foundational Modelsโ„ข set a new standard in perception, planning, localization, and manipulation, ensuring our approach is explainable and safe for deployment.
You will have the opportunity to work with a world-class team that thrives on creativity, resilience, and bold thinking. With a decade-long track record of deploying solutions in the field, winning DARPA challenge segments, and bringing expertise from organizations like DeepMind, NASA JPL, Boston Dynamics, NVIDIA, Amazon, Tesla Autopilot, Cruise Self-Driving, Zoox, Toyota Research Institute, and SpaceX, we are set to achieve our ambitious goals.
Be Part of the Next Robotics Revolution
To tackle such ambitious challenges, we need a team as unique as our vision - innovators who go beyond conventional methods and are eager to tackle tough, uncharted questions. We're seeking individuals who challenge the status quo, dive into uncharted territory, and bring interdisciplinary expertise. Our team requires not only top AI talent but also exceptional software developers, engineers, product designers, field deployment experts, and communicators.
We are headquartered in always-sunny Irvine, Southern California and have US based and global teammates.
Join us, shape the future, and be part of a fun, close-knit team on an exciting journey!
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.