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Robotics Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Robotics Software Engineer

Milpitas, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $195K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

We are seeking a Robotics Software Engineer to build the software that powers robot behavior in the real world. In this role, you will develop, integrate, and improve production-grade robotics ...

Robotics Software Engineer

Milpitas, CA

$120K - $195K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

We are seeking a Robotics Software Engineer to build the software that powers robot behavior in the real world. In this role, you will develop, integrate, and improve production-grade robotics ...

Robotics Software Engineer

Milpitas, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $195K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

We are seeking a Robotics Software Engineer to build the software that powers robot behavior in the real world. In this role, you will develop, integrate, and improve production-grade robotics ...

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Autonomous Robotics Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Autonomous Robotics Software Engineer (Robotics / Autonomy / C++) Advanced Robotics Group, LLC is seeking highly skilled Autonomous Robotics Software Engineers to join a small, high-performing team ...

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Autonomous Robotics Software Engineer

Berkeley, CA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Autonomous Robotics Software Engineer (Robotics / Autonomy / C++) Advanced Robotics Group, LLC is seeking highly skilled Autonomous Robotics Software Engineers to join a small, high-performing team ...

Robotics Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

Overview Sorting Robotics is a fast-growing company that specializes in automating the cannabis industry. We have a talented and self-motivated team of mechanical, electrical, and software developers ...

Overview Sorting Robotics is a fast-growing company that specializes in automating the cannabis industry. We have a talented and self-motivated team of mechanical, electrical, and software developers ...

Robotics Software Engineer

Van Nuys, CA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

Overview Sorting Robotics is a fast-growing company that specializes in automating the cannabis industry. We have a talented and self-motivated team of mechanical, electrical, and software developers ...

Senior Robotics Software Engineer

Berkeley, CA ยท On-site

$140 - $190/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking a Senior Robotics Software Engineer to develop core robotics libraries and runtime application software for Ambi products. In this role, you will rapidly develop, test, and deploy ...

Robotics Software Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$140K - $200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Robotics Software Engineer - Simulation Full-time | Sunnyvale, CA | Engineering (Onsite) About Noble Machines Noble Machines builds multipurpose robots to support human workers in the world ...

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Showing results 1-20

Robotics Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$59.2K

$122.9K

$176.7K

How much do robotics software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for robotics software engineer in California is $122,893.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,600.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a robotics software engineer do?

The job duties of a robotics software engineer are working to develop software for robot control and automation. In this job, your responsibilities include working on an embedded system that controls automated equipment. You may build new software or test, improve, or debug current software. Most robotics software engineers work for the manufacturing industry and focus on robots that companies use in product production. You may work in other fields that use robotics as well. This job may include responsibilities such as developing a user interface that non-technical employees can use to set up the equipment.

What does a robotics software engineer do?

A Robotics Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains the software that controls and powers robots. This includes writing code for robot perception, control algorithms, and integration with hardware components. They work closely with hardware engineers to ensure seamless interaction between the robot's physical and digital systems. Their work often involves programming in languages such as C++, Python, or ROS (Robot Operating System) and testing robots in real-world or simulated environments.

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

To thrive as a Robotics Software Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, robotics, and mathematics, often supported by a relevant degree and experience in algorithm development. Proficiency with programming languages like C++, Python, and ROS (Robot Operating System), as well as familiarity with simulation tools and version control systems, is essential. Problem-solving ability, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating on complex projects and adapting to evolving technologies. These skills and qualities are vital for designing, implementing, and maintaining reliable robotic systems that perform effectively in real-world environments.

What are some common challenges faced by robotics software engineers when integrating software with hardware systems?

Robotics Software Engineers often encounter challenges related to ensuring seamless communication between software algorithms and physical hardware components. These can include dealing with sensor noise, managing real-time constraints, debugging hardware-software mismatches, and ensuring reliable performance in unpredictable environments. Close collaboration with electrical and mechanical engineers is essential to quickly resolve integration issues and to test software on physical robots. Adapting to rapid hardware changes and troubleshooting in live environments require strong problem-solving skills and effective cross-disciplinary teamwork.

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

AspectRobotics Software EngineerMechatronics Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Robotics, Computer Science, or related field; programming skillsBachelor's in Mechatronics, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering; multidisciplinary knowledge
Work EnvironmentSoftware development teams, robotics labs, research facilitiesDesign, integrate mechanical and electronic systems, often in manufacturing or automation
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, robotics firms, research institutionsManufacturing, automation, aerospace, automotive industries

While both roles involve robotics, a Robotics Software Engineer primarily focuses on developing software for robotic systems, whereas a Mechatronics Engineer designs and integrates mechanical, electronic, and software components. The roles often overlap but differ in their core focus areas and skill sets.

What are the most commonly searched types of Robotics Software Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Robotics Software Engineer jobs in California are:

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

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

Infographic showing various Robotics Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $122,893 per year, or $59.1 per hour.

Robotics Software Engineer

Avatar Robotics

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description


Overview
We're hiring a Robotics Software Engineer to develop the real-time systems that power our robots in US warehouses. You'll build the core robot software that bridges hardware, teleoperation, and autonomy-from motion control and sensor integration to fleet coordination. Your work will enable remote operators to control robots seamlessly while collecting the data that drives our path to autonomy.
What we do
Avatar Robotics is building flexible robot fleets to revolutionize industrial work across the country. We're on a mission to make every tedious and dangerous warehouse/factory job virtual, safe, and semi-autonomous.
With proven AI approaches and long distance teleoperation, you'll join a team that deploys a physical work solution that's scalable now, not later. We envision a world where millions of machines will make our goods and consumables more affordable and accessible than ever, while critical workers operate these robot fleets from the comfort of their homes.
At Avatar Robotics, you'll create the workforce of the future-in one of the largest markets ($1T+ manual labor market in the US alone).
We're a small but powerful team at the early innings of deploying thousands of units into facilities worldwide.
What you'll do
  • Develop core robot software using ROS 2, C++/Python for production warehouse environments.
  • Integrate and optimize hardware (LiDAR, cameras, IMUs) and tune motion control for mobile manipulators.
  • Implement reliable state estimation, localization, and navigation across varied facility layouts.
  • Design, maintain, and write testable code for simulation (Gazebo, Isaac Sim), hardware-in-the-loop, and production.
  • Debug complex issues on physical robots in warehouse conditions and optimize onboard compute performance.
What you bring
  • 3+ years of experience with ROS/ROS 2 and C++ or Python in production robotics systems.
  • Strong understanding of real-time systems, control theory, and hardware integration/debugging in unstructured environments.
  • Familiarity with motion planning (MoveIt, Nav2), perception stacks, version control (Git), and CI/CD.
  • Bonus: Background in warehouse automation, SLAM, sensor fusion, or onboard compute optimization.

Additional Notes
  • Our team develops on physical robots in person-expect hands-on work involving hardware
  • Need to be located or willing to relocate to San Francisco, CA
  • Travel to customer warehouse sites for deployment and testing

Come join us in building a new global economy, where anyone can do manual work remotely and with robo-scale. Together, we can make goods and resources more affordable and available than they've ever been, for everyone on Earth.