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Robotics Phd Positions Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Robotics Software QA Engineer

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

A BS or MS/PhD in robotics software development or equivalent (CS, CE, EE, MechE) * (BONUS) Past ... This position is direct-hire only; unsolicited resumes from recruiters will not be considered and ...

Robotics Software QA Engineer

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

A BS or MS/PhD in robotics software development or equivalent (CS, CE, EE, MechE) * (BONUS) Past ... This position is direct-hire only; unsolicited resumes from recruiters will not be considered and ...

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Robotics Phd Positions information

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How much do robotics phd positions jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for robotics phd positions in the United States is $96,000.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,000.00 and $102,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does a PhD in robotics earn?

A PhD in robotics typically earns between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Robotics PhD holders often work in research, development, or academia, with higher salaries available in private sector roles involving advanced skills in programming, machine learning, and automation.

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.

What is the highest paying job in robotics?

The highest paying jobs in robotics are often executive roles such as Robotics Engineering Directors or Chief Robotics Officers, which can earn six-figure salaries. Senior roles requiring advanced expertise in AI, machine learning, and automation, along with leadership skills, tend to offer the highest compensation in the field.

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 a PhD in robotics worth it?

A PhD in robotics can enhance expertise in areas like control systems, machine learning, and perception, leading to advanced research, development, and academic opportunities. However, it requires significant time and effort, and job prospects often depend on industry demand, experience, and skills such as programming and hardware integration.

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.
More about Robotics Phd Positions jobs
What cities are hiring for Robotics Phd Positions jobs? Cities with the most Robotics Phd Positions job openings:
What states have the most Robotics Phd Positions jobs? States with the most job openings for Robotics Phd Positions jobs include:
Infographic showing various Robotics Phd Positions job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 9% As Needed, 45% Full Time, and 46% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,000 per year, or $46.2 per hour.
Research Scientist, Robotics Research - PhD New College Grad 2026

Research Scientist, Robotics Research - PhD New College Grad 2026

Nvidia Corporation

Seattle, WA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

NVIDIA is at the forefront of the AI and robotics revolution, and our robotics teams are on a mission to build the essential technology that can enable any company to become a robotics company. The Seattle Robotics Lab is passionate about fundamental and applied robotics research across the full robotics stack, including perception, planning, control, reinforcement learning, imitation learning, and simulation. This research strives to transform research paradigms, transfer into NVIDIA's robotics and simulation products, and build new robotics markets for the world.
The Seattle Robotics Lab has led many influential works that have been presented at top robotics, AI, and computer vision conferences; these works include BayesSim, cuRobo, DeXtreme, DiSECT, Factory, GraspNet, ITPS, MimicGen, RVT, and SHAC. (See our publications page for a complete list.) The work has deeply impacted the research community and NVIDIA products, including Isaac Sim, Isaac Lab, and Isaac Manipulator. Furthermore, SRL collaborates closely with other research and engineering teams to advance and use the Cosmos and GR00T-N foundation models, as well as the Newton physics simulation engine. The team is targeting several grand challenges in robotics and is aiming to achieve never-before-seen capabilities within 2-3 years. We are looking for research scientists to play a pivotal role in these efforts. These scientists must have outstanding research and engineering skills, a proven research track record, strong supporting references, and a team-first approach.
What you will be doing:
  • Developing algorithms, models, and methods for robotic manipulation and loco-manipulation, for both industrial and household applications;
  • Integrating these methods into real-world robotic manipulation systems, including those consisting of collaborative robot arms, industrial robot arms, mobile manipulators, humanoids, and dexterous hands;
  • Contributing to multi-person research projects that require a diverse set of skills across the robotics and machine learning stack;
  • Engaging with the academic community through high-impact publications, conferences, workshops, and code releases;
  • Collaborating with product managers and engineering teams to transfer your research into NVIDIA products that will have real-world impact;
  • Mentoring interns joining NVIDIA during their PhD programs.

What we need to see:
  • Completing a PhD in Robotics, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
  • A strong research track record, with work published in top robotics and AI conferences and journals such as RSS, CoRL, ICRA, IROS, IJRR, T-RO, NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, CVPR, ICCV, ECCV, and EMNLP.
  • Exceptional programming skills in Python, as well as proficiency in modern deep learning frameworks (PyTorch or JAX), robotics frameworks (ROS or ROS2), and physics simulation frameworks (Isaac Sim/Lab or MuJoCo). Familiarity with C++, CUDA, and Warp is a plus.
  • Exceptional communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with significant experience working on teams.
  • Comfort in working through the complexities of simulation and real-world robotics, including debugging physics simulators and renderers under rapid development; selecting, setting up, maintaining, and enhancing complex robotics hardware; debugging real-world communication systems; and designing robust workflows for model training and evaluation.

The following research areas and applications are of particular interest:
  • Bimanual and dexterous manipulation
  • Mobile manipulation and humanoid loco-manipulation
  • Multisensory perception (e.g., vision, tactile, and force/torque sensing)
  • Simulation, sim-to-real, and real-to-sim
  • Vision-language-action (VLA) models, including architectural advancements, large-scale training, and test-time reasoning
  • Industrial applications, such as bin-picking, kitting, and assembly

The Seattle Robotics Lab is currently located near the University of Washington and is moving to a new office in the vibrant Fremont neighborhood in 2026.
Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 168,000 USD - 264,500 USD.
You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.
Applications for this job will be accepted at least until January 18, 2026.
This posting is for an existing vacancy.
NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.
NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Nvidia logo

About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1993