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Robotics Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Collaborate closely with software, hardware, and controls engineers to deliver integrated robotic solutions. * Contribute to system architecture and technical design decisions. What We're Looking For ...

Collaborate closely with software, hardware, and controls engineers to deliver integrated robotic solutions. * Contribute to system architecture and technical design decisions. What We're Looking For ...

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 ยท 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 ...

Robotics Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$255K - $325K/yr

About the Role We're seeking talented Robotics Software Engineers to expand our robotics data collection and evaluation program. This highly technical role involves designing, implementing, and ...

As a team, we love nerding out about engineering and robotics - plus other topics like race cars or ... Integrate, test, and debug software solutions in simulation and on physical robots * Work with ...

The ideal candidate is a self-driven software engineer with strong problem-solving skills, deep expertise C++ and robotics algorithms. Essential Job Duties * Quickly learn an existing software ...

Showing results 21-40

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 16, 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 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 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 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 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 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 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

Noble Machines, Inc

Sunnyvale, CA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$140K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

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's toughest jobs-turning dangerous work from a necessity into a choice. Our work demands reliability, robustness, and readiness for the unexpected-on time, every time. We're assembling a mission-driven team focused on delivering real impact in heavy industry, from construction and mining to energy. If you're driven to build rugged, reliable products that solve real-world problems, we'd love to talk.

Position Overview

As a Robotics Software Engineer focused on simulation, you'll build and own the simulation environments that power development, validation, and testing of Noble Machines' robotic platforms. You will build and own the simulation infrastructure to recreate deployment environments that support training, validation, evaluation, and sim-to-real transfer. By creating high-fidelity virtual environments, you'll enable our teams to validate autonomy, control, and perception systems before they ever touch hardware-accelerating development while ensuring our robots are ready for the unexpected in the field.

Responsibilities
  • Develop and maintain simulation workflows with Isaac Sim, Omniverse, Gazebo, or Mujoco for integration and validation.
  • Build and iterate on high-fidelity simulation environments, digital twins, and synthetic data pipelines to support autonomy and controls development.
  • Collaborate with hardware, autonomy, and test teams to deliver field-ready systems.
Requirements
  • 4+ years in robotics or distributed software development.
  • Strong proficiency in C++ (C++17+) and Python.
  • Experience working within simulation software (i.e. Isaac Sim, Omniverse, etc.)
  • Solid understanding of ROS 2, lifecycle nodes, and DDS communication.
  • Experience building modular, distributed runtime or middleware systems.
  • Familiarity with containerized development (Docker, colcon, CI/CD pipelines).
  • Proven experience building APIs, SDKs, or developer-facing tools.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills across engineering teams.
Nice to Have
  • Experience with robotics simulation environments (Isaac Sim, Mujoco, Gazebo).
  • Knowledge of behavior trees, system diagnostics, or safety frameworks.
  • Familiarity with orchestration tools (GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Kubernetes).
  • Open-source contributions in ROS 2, robotics middleware, or developer tooling.
California Pay Transparency Statement

Pay Transparency & Compensation In accordance with California's Pay Transparency Act (SB 1162), the expected base salary range for this position located in Sunnyvale, CA is $140,000 - $200,000 per year.

Actual compensation within this range will be determined based on several factors, including the candidate's qualifications, relevant experience, technical skills, and specialized expertise. Base salary is just one component of Noble Machines' total rewards package, which may also include equity options, comprehensive healthcare benefits, retirement plan contributions, and performance-based incentives.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Noble Machines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.