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Robotics Perception Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lead Perception Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$189 - $310.50/hr

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

Perception Engineer

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site

$125K - $220K/yr

As a Perception Engineer, you will design, train, and deploy state-of-the-art vision and multi ... Robotics or similar, or equivalent experience; track record shipping ML models to production.

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 world‑understanding systems that directly ...

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 ...

Showing results 41-60

Robotics Perception Engineer information

What is a robotics perception engineer?

Robotics Perception Engineers are professionals who specialize in enabling robots to interpret and understand their environment using sensors and data processing algorithms. They work on developing and implementing computer vision, sensor fusion, and machine learning techniques so that robots can perceive objects, people, and surroundings. Their work is crucial for applications such as autonomous vehicles, drones, industrial automation, and service robots. By improving a robot's ability to 'see' and make sense of the world, they help create safer and more effective robotic systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a robotics perception engineer?

To thrive as a Robotics Perception Engineer, you need strong expertise in computer vision, sensor fusion, machine learning, and proficiency in programming languages like C++ and Python, often supported by a degree in robotics, computer science, or a related field. Familiarity with tools and frameworks such as ROS (Robot Operating System), OpenCV, and deep learning libraries, as well as experience with sensors like LiDAR and cameras, is typically required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and adaptability help set standout professionals apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for enabling robots to accurately interpret and interact with their environment, leading to robust and reliable autonomous systems.

What are some common challenges faced by robotics perception engineers when integrating new sensors into autonomous systems?

Robotics Perception Engineers often encounter challenges such as sensor calibration, data synchronization, and managing varying data quality when integrating new sensors. Ensuring that sensor data is accurately aligned in time and space is crucial for reliable perception in autonomous systems. Additionally, engineers must address the complexities of fusing data from multiple modalities (like cameras, LiDAR, or radar) while optimizing processing efficiency. Close collaboration with hardware and software teams is essential to troubleshoot integration issues and achieve robust, real-time perception.

What is the difference between Robotics Perception Engineer vs Computer Vision Engineer?

AspectRobotics Perception EngineerComputer Vision Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Robotics, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering; experience with perception algorithmsBachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related fields; strong programming skills in vision processing
Work EnvironmentRobotics labs, autonomous vehicle companies, industrial automationSoftware companies, tech startups, research labs focusing on image and video analysis
Industry UsageAutonomous vehicles, robotics, manufacturingHealthcare, security, consumer electronics, automotive

Robotics Perception Engineers focus on developing perception systems specifically for robots, integrating sensors and perception algorithms for navigation and interaction. Computer Vision Engineers primarily develop algorithms for interpreting visual data across various applications. While both roles require strong programming and understanding of perception, Robotics Perception Engineers specialize in sensor fusion and real-time processing within robotic systems, whereas Computer Vision Engineers work more broadly on image analysis and recognition tasks.

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Robotics Perception Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Robotics Perception Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Robotics Perception Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

Lead Rover Navigation and Perception Engineer

Venturi Astrolab, Inc.

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$142 - $235/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Lead Rover Navigation and Perception Engineer

Department: Software Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hawthorne, California

Reporting To: Denise Brown

Compensation: $142,000 - $235,000 / year

Description

Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We design and build the systems and hardware the lunar economy will come to depend on — rovers, power, and data networks for sustained operations on the Moon. We are focused on the problems that must be solved before the next chapter of human exploration can scale. The Moon does not forgive untested assumptions. The people who work here know that, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

The Lead Rover Navigation and Perception Engineer will be responsible for the design, tuning, analysis, and characterization of the navigation and perception system for Astrolab’s extra-terrestrial rovers. The Lead Rover Navigation and Perception Engineer will work closely with the flight software team to implement and test all of the rover navigation and perception algorithms. This position is a technical leadership position with an expectation that the lead will also be doing hands on work as part of the rover guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) team to design, characterize, and test the vehicle navigation and perception system. The Lead Rover Navigation and Perception Engineer will devise test campaigns to be executed with real hardware in simulated and analog lunar environments and work with the team to execute the tests.

Note: Some travel may be required for this position

What you'll do:
  • Lead a small team of engineers to design, characterize, test, verify, and validate localization and perception systems for extra-terrestrial rovers
  • Bring a navigation and perception solution from early design through flight operations on an aggressive schedule for Astrolab’s CLV-1 lunar rover
  • Work closely with the software team to implement and test navigation, perception, and obstacle avoidance flight software
  • Ensure that extra-terrestrial rover navigation and perception solutions are robust, upgradable during flight, and practical
  • Devise, supervise, and execute navigation and perception system testing with real sensors and flight computers using a test vehicle operating in simulated lunar conditions
  • Ensure that navigation and perception system meet performance and NASA human rated spacecraft system requirements
What you'll bring:Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
  • 10+ years designing, developing, and testing navigation, localization, and perception systems for rovers, autonomous vehicles, GPS-denied vehicle navigation systems, or similar autonomous or robotic platforms.
  • Experience with practical sensor fusion and Kalman filtering for wheeled vehicle navigation and perception, with specific experience using sensors with widely different modalities to determine robust navigation and perception solutions (e.g. IMU, lidar, radar, star tracker, etc.)
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience designing, tuning, developing, analyzing, characterizing, verifying, and validating navigation and perception solutions for wheeled vehicles
  • Experience developing, testing, and characterizing obstacle detection and avoidance algorithms for wheeled vehicles
  • Experience dealing with real world issues that affect navigation/localization/perception system design and performance, such as invalid data, dropped packets, data latencies, blurry images, and similar
  • Experience supporting a navigation/localization system through the entire lifecycle, from early design through live vehicle operations
  • Experience in C++ and Python programming
Benefits and Perks
  • Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
  • Equity ownership in the company
  • Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Flexible PTO and parental leave
  • Home office set up reimbursement
  • Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
  • Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks
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