1

Robotics Software Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Role We're looking for a Robotics Software Engineer to design and build the software that powers intelligent robotic systems. You'll work on perception, autonomy, control systems, and ...

Robotics Software Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$145K - $220K/yr

The Role We're looking for a Robotics Software Engineer to design and build the software that powers intelligent robotic systems. You'll work on perception, autonomy, control systems, and ...

Be Seen First

Robotics Software Engineer

Newark, CA · On-site

$90 - $100/hr

12 months contract Qualifications: * BS/MS in Robotics or Software * Robotics and Computer Vision ... Perform technical performance benchmarking and analyses to support engineering decisions Company ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Robotics Software Developer information

See California salary details

$47.4K

$110.4K

$163.8K

How much do robotics software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for robotics software developer in California is $110,380.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,800.00 and $128,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Robotics Software Developer, you need strong programming skills in languages such as C++, Python, or ROS, along with a background in computer science, engineering, or robotics. Familiarity with robotics simulation platforms (e.g., Gazebo), version control systems (e.g., Git), and experience with sensor integration and real-time operating systems are typically required. Problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication are essential soft skills to excel in multidisciplinary environments. These abilities ensure reliable development, integration, and deployment of robotic systems that meet both technical and user requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by Robotics Software Developers in integrating hardware and software components?

Robotics Software Developers often encounter challenges related to ensuring seamless communication between software algorithms and diverse hardware components like sensors, actuators, and controllers. Differences in hardware specifications, real-time constraints, and debugging low-level hardware interactions can add complexity to development. Collaborating closely with hardware engineers is essential to address issues quickly and optimize system performance. Staying up to date with new frameworks and tools, such as ROS (Robot Operating System), also helps streamline integration and testing.

What does a Robotics Software Developer do?

A Robotics Software Developer designs, develops, and maintains the software that controls robotic systems. They write code that enables robots to sense their environment, make decisions, and perform tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously. These developers often work with embedded systems, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to improve robot performance. Their work is essential for applications ranging from manufacturing automation to healthcare and service robots.

What is the difference between Robotics Software Developer vs Mechatronics Engineer?

AspectRobotics Software DeveloperMechatronics Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, Robotics, or related field; programming certificationsBachelor's in Mechatronics, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering
Work EnvironmentSoftware development teams, labs, robotics companiesDesign, integrate mechanical and electronic systems, manufacturing settings
Industry UsageRobotics firms, automation companies, research labsManufacturing, automation, product design
Common Search/ComparisonYesNo

Robotics Software Developers focus on programming and developing software for robotic systems, while Mechatronics Engineers work on designing and integrating mechanical, electronic, and software components. Both roles often collaborate but differ mainly in their core responsibilities and skill sets.

What cities in California are hiring for Robotics Software Developer jobs? Cities in California with the most Robotics Software Developer job openings:

Robotics Software Engineer

Cubiq Recruitment

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

I'm working with a robotics/AI company looking for a Robotics Software Engineer to help build and optimize the low-latency systems powering real-world robotic platforms.

This is a highly technical role focused on Embedded Linux, real-time performance, device integration, and runtime infrastructure that sits underneath cutting-edge AI and robotics systems.

What you'll do:

Build and optimize low-latency runtime systems for robotics applications.

Develop and maintain Embedded Linux and RTOS-based infrastructure.

Work on drivers, device drivers, HALs, and IPC/inter-process communication systems.

Improve sensor integration, streaming pipelines, and on-device/on-robot performance.

Profile and debug bottlenecks across compute, networking, scheduling, memory, and I/O.

Support robot onboarding and device integration for next-generation robotic platforms.

Partner closely with researchers and hardware teams to productionize real-world AI systems.

What we're looking for:

Strong systems programming experience in C++, Rust, or Python.

Deep experience with Embedded Linux and real-time operating systems (RTOS).

Background working on latency-sensitive or performance-critical systems.

Experience with drivers, hardware abstraction layers (HAL), and sensor pipelines.

Strong debugging and profiling skills across distributed or hardware-integrated systems.

Engineers who enjoy working close to hardware and solving complex runtime problems.

Experience in robotics, autonomous systems, AR/VR, video pipelines, or distributed systems is a plus.