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Robotics Phd Positions Jobs in San Ramon, CA (NOW HIRING)

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Robotics Phd Positions information

See San Ramon, CA salary details

$93.9K

$107.3K

$130.2K

How much do robotics phd positions jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for robotics phd positions in San Ramon, CA is $107,281.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,600.00 and $114,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Robotics PhD candidate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Robotics PhD candidate, you need a strong background in robotics, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and a relevant undergraduate or master's degree. Familiarity with programming languages (like Python, C++), robotics simulation tools (such as ROS, Gazebo), and experience with research methodologies are typically important. Critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication are essential soft skills for contributing novel ideas and collaborating within research teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for successfully conducting advanced research, publishing results, and advancing the field of robotics.

Who are the big 4 in robotics?

The 'Big 4' in robotics typically refers to leading companies in the field, which include Boston Dynamics, ABB, FANUC, and KUKA. These companies are known for their advanced robotics hardware, automation solutions, and research contributions, making them prominent employers and collaborators for robotics PhD positions.

What can I do with a PhD in robotics?

A PhD in robotics prepares individuals for advanced research, development, and engineering roles in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace, and autonomous vehicles. Graduates often work as robotics engineers, research scientists, or system architects, utilizing skills in programming, control systems, and machine learning. They may also pursue academic positions or leadership roles in technology development.

What are the common research areas and collaboration opportunities for students in Robotics PhD positions?

Robotics PhD students typically focus on advanced topics such as machine learning for robotics, human-robot interaction, autonomous systems, and robotic perception. These positions often involve interdisciplinary collaboration, working closely with faculty, industry partners, and peers from fields such as computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Students regularly participate in lab meetings, joint research projects, and may have opportunities to contribute to conference publications or internships. This collaborative environment not only enhances learning but also opens pathways for future academic and industry careers in robotics.

Is robotics a dead field?

Robotics PhD positions are still highly relevant as robotics continues to advance in areas like automation, healthcare, and manufacturing. The field requires skills in programming, control systems, and machine learning, and offers ongoing research and development opportunities. Robotics remains a dynamic and growing area within engineering and computer science.

What is the difference between Robotics Phd Positions vs Robotics Engineer?

AspectRobotics Phd PositionsRobotics Engineer
Required CredentialsPhD in Robotics, Engineering, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical, or Computer Engineering
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, academic settingsIndustry, manufacturing, technology companies, startups
Employer & Industry UsageAcademic institutions, research organizationsPrivate companies, tech firms, industrial sectors
Common Search & Comparison IntentAcademic research, advanced study, research positionsPractical application, product development, engineering roles

Robotics Phd Positions focus on advanced research, theoretical development, and academic pursuits, often requiring a doctoral degree. Robotics Engineers typically work on designing, developing, and implementing robotic systems in industry, often with a bachelor's or master's degree. Both roles involve robotics but differ in their focus, environment, and qualifications.

What are Robotics PhD positions?

Robotics PhD positions are research-focused academic roles for students pursuing a doctoral degree in robotics. These positions typically involve conducting original research in areas such as artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, computer vision, or control systems related to robotics. Students often work under the supervision of a faculty advisor, contribute to academic publications, and may also assist in teaching or mentoring. Admission to these positions usually requires a strong academic background in engineering, computer science, or related fields, as well as a demonstrated interest in robotics research.

How much do PHD in robotics make?

PhD holders in robotics typically earn between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Salaries are higher in sectors like aerospace, automation, and research institutions, and advanced skills in programming, machine learning, and hardware integration can influence compensation.
What job categories do people searching Robotics Phd Positions jobs in San Ramon, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Robotics Phd Positions jobs in San Ramon, CA are:
What cities near San Ramon, CA are hiring for Robotics Phd Positions jobs? Cities near San Ramon, CA with the most Robotics Phd Positions job openings:
Robotics Phd Positions jobs near you

Robotics Research Engineer

Foundry Robotics Inc

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Robotics Research Engineer
About Us
We are reimagining manufacturing through advanced robotics. Our mission is to rebuild the American manufacturing industry as an AI-first, assembly-focused, dual-use contract manufacturer. We aim to empower manufacturers with intelligent, efficient, and adaptable robotic systems that redefine productivity and quality. As a founding member of our engineering team, you will have a direct and significant impact on our product, culture, and ultimate success. This role is 100% in-person at our office in the mission, SF.
The Role
We are hiring a Robotics Research Engineer to design, implement, and deploy intelligent robotic systems for manufacturing.
This is not a purely academic role - and not a generic software role. You will work across:
  • ROS2-based system architecture
  • Manipulation and navigation
  • Perception and VLA-based control
  • Traditional controls fused with learned methods
  • On-site deployment in production manufacturing workcells

You should be equally comfortable reading robotics papers, tuning controllers, debugging sensor calibration, and pushing production code to robots running on a factory floor.
Key Responsibilities
Robotics Systems & Architecture
  • Design and implement distributed robotic systems in ROS2
  • Build modular autonomy stacks for manipulation and mobile platforms
  • Own system-level performance, latency, and reliability

Robotics Foundation Models (VLA)
  • Develop and integrate Vision-Language-Action models for robotic control
  • Design data collection pipelines and fine-tune foundation models for assembly tasks
  • Benchmark and evaluate real-world performance

Controls + Learning
  • Fuse traditional control with learned policies
  • Implement hybrid perception-planning-control architectures
  • Improve robustness, repeatability, and safety in physical systems

Manipulation, Navigation & Deployment
  • Develop algorithms for dexterous manipulation and industrial navigation
  • Ship systems from prototype to production
  • Debug real-world edge cases (lighting, calibration drift, wear, latency) and maintain deployed robotic cells
What We're Looking For
Deployment Mentality
  • Experience shipping systems into real environments (not just lab demos)
  • Comfort debugging hardware-software integration issues
  • Ability to own systems end-to-end

Ownership
  • Thrives in high-velocity, ambiguous environments
  • Takes full technical ownership of complex systems
  • Willing to get into the weeds of mechanical, electrical, and software challenges
Nice to Have
  • PhD in Robotics or related field
  • Experience working on dual-use or DoD-related systems
  • Ability to obtain a government security clearance
  • Experience with safety-critical robotic systems
Growth Opportunities
  • Define the technical direction of robotics foundation model deployment in manufacturing
  • Build and lead the autonomy team
  • Shape the next generation of AI-driven assembly systems
  • Become a core technical interface with defense and industrial partners
Why Join Us?
This is one of the only places where world-class manufacturing operators, mechanical engineers, robotics researchers, and software engineers sit in the same room - building production systems together.
We are committed to being deeply embedded in the U.S. industrial base. Our focus is simple: build adaptive robotic assembly systems that make American manufacturing scalable, resilient, and competitive again.
If you want to publish papers, this may not be the role.
If you want to build and deploy the systems those papers were meant to enable - this is it.
The base salary range for this full-time position in the location of San Francisco is:
$150,000-$250,000 USD
Compensation packages at Foundry Robotics for eligible roles include base salary, equity, and benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position, determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, interview performance, and relevant education or training. Foundry Robotics employees in eligible roles are also granted equity based compensation, subject to Board of Director approval. You'll also receive benefits including, but not limited to: Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, and generous PTO.

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