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Robotics Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Robotics Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · 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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Robotics Software Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$160K - $260K/yr

We are looking for a Robotics Software Engineer to lead the design, development, and deployment of intelligent automation systems for manufacturing environments. Our mission is to scale Hadrian ...

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 ...

Showing results 41-60

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 Sep 6, 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 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $122,893 per year, or $59.1 per hour.

Robotics Software Engineer, Nimble Brain

Nimble Robotics

San Francisco, CA

$140K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

About Nimble

Nimble is an AI robotics company building the autonomous supply chain to power fast, efficient and economical commerce. We're training robot AGI to power a proprietary generalist supply chain superhumanoid, the first robot in the world capable of performing thousands of tasks across the supply chain. We've raised over $220M at over $1B valuation and formed a strategic alliance with FedEx to build a national network of autonomous warehouses capable of generating many billions in annual revenue. We are a hardcore and obsessed team of the world's best engineers and operators. If you are obsessed with your craft, enjoy a high-intensity and fast moving high impact environment, are super high agency in getting hard things done and want to be part of building the world's most legendary robotics company at the most pivotal moment in history, we want to work with you.

We are on a mission to empower and inspire mankind to accomplish legendary feats by inventing robots that liberate us from the menial. We will accomplish this by training robot AGI to invent and build the Autonomous Supply Chain – everything from the inside of factories and warehouses to your front door – powered by generalist superhumanoids.

Our founding team comes from the AI labs at Stanford and Carnegie Mellon and our board of directors include famed robotics and AI legends including Fei-Fei Li (Chief Scientist of AI at Google and Director of Stanford's AI Lab), Marc Raibert (founder of Boston Dynamics), and Sebastian Thrun (founder of GoogleX, Waymo; Stanford Professor and considered the father of autonomous vehicles).

Let's be legendary.

About the Role

Nimble is looking for a Robotics Software Engineer to build the core software powering our next-generation autonomous robots. In this role, you will develop the systems that allow our robots to operate with exceptional reliability, precision, and efficiency in real production environments.

You will work across robot control, sensing, runtime execution, and backend services—building robust, production-grade software that scales as we deploy more robots into high-throughput warehouse operations. You'll collaborate closely with our AI, hardware, and infrastructure teams to integrate frontier AI capabilities into practical, real-world robotics systems and to continually improve robot uptime, performance, and overall intelligence.

This is a rare opportunity to help define the software foundation of industry-leading intelligent robots and contribute to the long-term vision of generalized robotic autonomy at scale.

Key Responsibilities
  • Design and implement core robotic software for real-time control, manipulation, sensing pipelines, and high-reliability task execution.
  • Build tools and workflows for sensor data processing, visualization, validation, and debugging across development and production environments.
  • Create automated evaluation, and remote operations.
  • Work closely with AI research teams to integrate new frontier AI models into production robot behaviors, ensuring predictable and safe performance.
  • Collaborate with hardware engineering on seamless software–hardware integration for new robot platforms and upgrades.
  • Contribute hands-on to testing, profiling, and optimizing our systems for robustness, low latency, and operational uptime.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Robotics, or a related engineering field.
  • 1+ years of software engineering experience building production systems.
  • Experience integrating with robotics, IoT, or embedded device SDKs.
  • Proven ability to design, implement, and maintain complex, high-reliability software systems.
  • Hands-on development experience in Rust.
  • Familiarity with software best practices including testing, documentation, code reviews, and robust architectural design.
  • Excellent communication, ownership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Compensation & BenefitsThe pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $140,000 and $230,000/year. Your exact offer may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to cash compensation, this position will also receive generous equity for this position.
Culture
We embrace challenges and strive to make the impossible possible each day. We're not in this to do what's easy or to be mediocre. We want to create something legendary and leave our mark on the world. We're ambitious, we're gritty, we're humble and we're relentlessly resourceful in pursuit of our goals. If this sounds like you then you might be a great fit!
 
Nimble Robotics, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We make all employment decisions based solely on merit. We provide equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state, federal or local laws.
 
Nimble's Benefits
 
Unlimited Flexible Time Off
Enjoy the time you need to travel, rejuvenate, and connect with friends and family.
 
Health Insurance
Nimble provides medical, dental, and vision insurance through several premier plans and options to support you and your family.
 
Paid Parental Leave
Enjoy paid bonding time following a birth.
 
Commuter Benefits
Take the stress out of commuting with access to fully-paid parking spots. 
 
Referral Bonus
Get a cash bonus for any friend or colleagues that you refer to us that we end up hiring. 
 
401k
Contribute towards a 401k for retirement planning.
 
Equity
Be an owner in Nimble through our equity program
 
Link: Nimble Closes $106 Million Series C Funding Round, Scales Fully Autonomous Fulfillment with FedEx 
 
Link: FedEx Announces Expansion of FedEx Fulfillment With Nimble Alliance