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Robotic Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Foundation Robotics

Robotics Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team. Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite - it's your talent and determination that truly count. We ...

Clera

Robotics Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $225K/yr

... robotic systems. * Background in a relevant robotics domain -- humanoids, self-driving vehicles ... Locomotion engineering for navigating safely in public or unstructured environments. Nice to have:

Clera

Robotics Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $225K/yr

... robotic systems. * Background in a relevant robotics domain - humanoids, self-driving vehicles ... Locomotion engineering for navigating safely in public or unstructured environments. Nice to have:

Skild AI

Robotics Engineer, Manipulation

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$100K - $300K/yr

Company Overview At Skild AI, we are building the world's first general purpose robotic ... Position Overview We are seeking a versatile Robotics Engineer to develop and implement software ...

Alutiiq, LLC

Robotics Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

Support development of high-reliability electro-mechanical robotic systems, including design ... Providing lead engineering services through all phases of development, from requirements analysis ...

Alutiiq

Robotics Engineer

San Diego, CA

Design, develop, and test hardware, software, sensors, actuators, and embedded systems for robotic ... Providing lead engineering services through all phases of development, from requirements analysis ...

DZYNE Technologies

Robotics Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$100K - $125K/yr

... robotic platforms. This role emphasizes robotics software development, integration of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms, and deployment on embedded systems. The engineer will ...

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All JobsRobotic Engineer JobsRobotic Engineer Jobs in California

Robotic Engineer information

See California salary details

$28.6K

$104.2K

$166.8K

How much do robotic engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for robotic engineer in California is $104,222.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,400.00 and $125,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Robotic Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering, electronics, computer science, and mathematics, typically supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with programming languages like Python or C++, CAD software, and robotic operating systems (ROS) is often required, along with certifications in robotics or automation. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication make you stand out in multidisciplinary project environments. These skills are crucial for designing, building, and maintaining advanced robotic systems that meet complex industry needs.

Do robotic engineers make good money?

Robotic engineers typically earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, education, and location. According to industry data, the median annual salary for robotic engineers is often above the national average for engineering roles, with higher earnings possible for those with specialized skills in automation, control systems, and programming. Many robotic engineers also benefit from opportunities in research, development, and manufacturing environments that offer additional compensation and benefits.

What is the difference between Robotic Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectRobotic EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Robotics, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering; certifications in robotics or automationBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferred
Work EnvironmentDesigning, programming, and testing robots in labs or manufacturing settingsDesigning and analyzing mechanical systems in various industries, including manufacturing and automotive
Industry UsageAutomation, robotics, manufacturing, aerospace

Robotic Engineers focus on designing and developing robotic systems, often requiring knowledge of programming and electronics. Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope, working on mechanical systems across multiple industries. Both roles share foundational engineering principles but differ in specialization and daily tasks.

Are robotic engineers in demand?

Robotic engineers are in high demand due to the increasing adoption of automation and robotics across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. They typically require skills in programming, systems integration, and knowledge of robotics hardware and software, making their expertise valuable in the evolving technology landscape.

What does a robotic engineer do?

A Robotic Engineer designs, builds, tests, and maintains robots and robotic systems used in a variety of industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and aerospace. They work with both hardware and software to create robots that can perform tasks autonomously or with human guidance. Their responsibilities also include troubleshooting, programming, and improving the efficiency and safety of robotic systems. Robotic Engineers often collaborate with other engineers and technicians to develop innovative solutions and integrate robots into existing processes.

What are some typical challenges a robotic engineer faces when integrating new robots into existing manufacturing systems?

Robotic Engineers often encounter challenges when integrating new robots into established manufacturing environments, such as ensuring seamless communication between new and legacy equipment, minimizing production downtime, and adapting robots to variable workflows. Effective troubleshooting and collaboration with cross-functional teams, including software developers and production managers, are key to overcoming these hurdles. Staying current with industry standards and flexible programming approaches can also help ease the integration process and maintain system efficiency.
What are the most commonly searched types of Robotic Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Robotic Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Robotic Engineer jobs in California? For Robotic Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Robotic Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Robotic Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Robotic Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Robotic Engineer job openings:
Robotic Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Robotic Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,222 per year, or $50.1 per hour.

Robotics Engineer

Foundation Robotics

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

About Us
Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics with the goal to address the labor shortage.
Our mission is to create advanced robots that can operate in complex environments, reducing human risk in conflict zones and enhancing efficiency in labor-intensive industries.
We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team. Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite - it's your talent and determination that truly count.
We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work.
Our Culture
We like to be frank and honest about who we are, so that people can decide for themselves if this is a culture they resonate with. Please read more about our culture here https://foundation.bot/culture.
Who should join:
  • You like working in person with a team in San Francisco.
  • You deeply believe that this is the most important mission for humanity and needs to happen yesterday.
  • You are highly technical - regardless of the role you are in. We are building technology; you need to understand technology well.
  • You care about aesthetics and design inside out. If it's not the best product ever, it bothers you, and you need to "fix" it.
  • You don't need someone to motivate you; you get things done.

Why Are We Hiring for this Role
  • To build and maintain the full software ecosystem for our general-purpose robots, requiring versatility across high-level cloud services and system services running on the robot computer.
  • To drive the implementation and scaling of critical system services applications, including user-facing web applications, comprehensive data logging infrastructure, and robot interfaces.
  • To ensure the team has a capable software generalist who can bridge the gap between high-level applications and low-level system necessities, enabling rapid feature development, software porting, and necessary OS-adjacent implementations.
  • To contribute a broad and deep software background to influence the technical direction and architecture of both robot-side and cloud-side systems.
  • Foundation is building a software platform that spans cloud infrastructure, robot operating systems, and everything in between. We're looking for a robotics software engineer who enjoys owning large technical problems across the entire stack.
  • This is a highly cross-functional role with broad technical ownership. You'll architect and build the software services that connect cloud infrastructure, developer tooling, and on-robot systems into a cohesive robotics platform.
  • You'll have the opportunity to influence the architecture of our robotics software stack from the ground up, helping define how engineers develop, deploy, monitor, and interact with every robot we build.
  • Rather than owning a narrow subsystem, you'll work across cloud services, robot infrastructure, operating systems, and developer tools-solving the problems that unlock velocity for the entire engineering organization.
  • You'll collaborate closely with AI, autonomy, controls, embedded, and infrastructure teams to build the software foundation that enables rapid development and deployment of next-generation humanoid robots.
What Kind of Person are we looking For
  • A great software generalist who is versatile and can write at scale cloud software.
  • Ability to design and implement system services apps that sit on the robot computer, such as webapps and robot control interfaces.
  • Focus is on higher-level software development (above firmware/OS, and lower than AI components).
  • Scrappy and capable of extending into OS level implementations and software porting when necessary.
  • Proven background as a generalist software engineer, comfortable operating across different layers of the software stack (from higher-level cloud applications down to OS-adjacent implementations).
  • Expertise in building and scaling cloud software (e.g., distributed systems, robust APIs, data logging pipelines).
  • Strong experience in designing and implementing system services applications, including web applications, user interfaces, and robot control interfaces.
  • Proficiency in at least one major programming language used in cloud/systems development (e.g., C++, Python, Go, Rust).
  • A "scrappy" mindset with demonstrated ability to quickly learn new technologies, port software, and delve into low-level (OS-adjacent) code when necessary.
  • Familiarity with foundational computer science concepts, operating systems, and networking.

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