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Robotics Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Based in the heart of Southern California's robotics ecosystem, we build risk-aware, reliable, field-ready AI systems that solve the hardest problems in robotics and unlock the full potential of ...

Principal Robotics Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$210K - $240K/yr

Based in the heart of Southern California's robotics ecosystem, we build risk-aware, reliable, field-ready AI systems that solve the hardest problems in robotics and unlock the full potential of ...

Robotics Product Security Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$63 - $84.25/hr

Based in the heart of Southern California's robotics ecosystem, we build risk-aware, reliable, field-ready AI systems that solve the hardest problems in robotics and unlock the full potential of ...

Robotics Product Security Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$62.25 - $83.25/hr

FieldAI is focused on advancing robotics technology, and they are seeking a Robotics Product Security Engineer to enhance the security architecture of autonomous robotic systems. The role involves ...

Based in the heart of Southern California's robotics ecosystem, we build risk-aware, reliable, field-ready AI systems that solve the hardest problems in robotics and unlock the full potential of ...

Robotics Product Security Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$63 - $84.25/hr

Based in the heart of Southern California's robotics ecosystem, we build risk-aware, reliable, field-ready AI systems that solve the hardest problems in robotics and unlock the full potential of ...

Software Engineer, Robotics

Irvine, CA · On-site

$191K - $253K/yr

ABOUT THE TEAM The Air Defense team builds robots that find other robots and knock them out of the sky. At a time when air superiority can no longer be taken for granted, the Air Defense Team ...

Showing results 41-60

Robotics information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$87.6K

$100.2K

$121.5K

How much do robotics jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for robotics in Riverside, CA is $100,153.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,900.00 and $106,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are robotics jobs?

Robotics jobs involve designing, building, programming, testing, and maintaining robots or robotic systems. Professionals in this field may work in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and research, focusing on automation and innovative technology solutions. Roles can include robotics engineers, technicians, programmers, and researchers, all working together to improve efficiency, safety, and productivity through robotics. These positions typically require knowledge in areas like mechanical engineering, electronics, computer programming, and artificial intelligence.

What are the qualifications to get a job in robotics?

The qualifications you need to get a job in robotics depend on the position you are interested in. Engineers and designers typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in robotics, mechanical or electrical engineering, or computer science, as well as strong programming skills. Some technicians and operators also need to have a bachelor’s degree or extensive training. Good technical and analytical skills are required for work in robotics. The duties of these positions vary significantly, although in many cases job responsibilities overlap. For example, engineers often gather advice and technical knowledge from technicians and operators about how robots function when they design new systems.

How do robotics professionals typically collaborate with other engineering disciplines during a project?

Robotics professionals frequently work in cross-functional teams alongside electrical, mechanical, and software engineers. This collaboration ensures that robotic systems are seamlessly integrated, from hardware design to control algorithms and user interfaces. Effective communication and iterative problem-solving are key, as team members must align on technical requirements, system architecture, and testing protocols. Such teamwork not only enhances project outcomes but also provides valuable opportunities to broaden technical skills and learn from other engineering domains.

What is the difference between Robotics vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectRoboticsMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsTypically requires a degree in Robotics, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering; certifications in automation or control systemsRequires a degree in Mechanical Engineering; professional licensure may be preferred
Work EnvironmentOften involves working with automation systems, programming robots, and integrating hardware/softwareFocuses on designing, analyzing, and manufacturing mechanical systems
Industry UsageUsed in automation, manufacturing, aerospace, and researchApplied across automotive, aerospace, energy, and manufacturing sectors

Robotics and Mechanical Engineering share overlapping skills, especially in design and systems analysis. However, Robotics emphasizes automation, programming, and system integration, while Mechanical Engineering focuses on mechanical design and analysis. Both fields are vital in manufacturing and technology sectors, but Robotics professionals often work more with software and control systems, whereas Mechanical Engineers concentrate on physical components.

Is robotics still a good career?

Robotics is a growing field with increasing demand for engineers and technicians skilled in automation, programming, and systems integration. Careers in robotics often require knowledge of programming languages like Python or C++, and familiarity with hardware and sensors, making it a viable and evolving profession with strong job prospects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Robotics jobs in Riverside, CA?

The most popular types of Robotics jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Robotics jobs in Riverside, CA?

For Robotics jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Robotics jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Robotics job openings:

Infographic showing various Robotics job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,153 per year, or $48.2 per hour.

Principal Robotics Engineer

FieldAI

Irvine, CA • Remote

Full-time

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

FieldAI’s Irvine team is where embodied AI meets real robots, real sensors, and real field deployments. Based in the heart of Southern California’s robotics ecosystem, we build risk-aware, reliable, field-ready AI systems that solve the hardest problems in robotics and unlock the full potential of embodied intelligence. If you want your work to ship, get tested on hardware, and improve through real deployments, Irvine is the place. We go beyond typical data-driven approaches or pure transformer-only architectures, combining rigorous engineering with learning systems proven in globally deployed solutions that deliver results today and get better every time our robots run in the field.

FieldAI is seeking a Principal Robotics Engineer to set technical direction across our autonomy software stack and to take ownership of our hardest, highest-leverage engineering problems. As a Principal-level individual contributor, you will architect production-grade systems spanning perception, localization, planning, and control; define the interfaces and quality standards that let dozens of engineers move fast without breaking the fleet; and translate cutting-edge research into reliable, field-ready capabilities running on legged and wheeled robots worldwide. This is a technical leadership role: you will multiply the output of the entire autonomy organization through architecture, mentorship, and cross-team influence rather than through people management.

What You'll Get To Do
  • Autonomy Stack Leadership: Drive deep technical work across perception, localization and mapping, planning, and control. Identify the algorithmic and systems bottlenecks limiting reliability and performance, and personally lead the most difficult of them to resolution.
  • Production Software Quality & Stable Interfaces: Define and enforce stable API contracts between autonomy components and the broader software platform. Raise the bar on production software quality through testing, code review, profiling, and architectural discipline.
  • Cross-Team Technical Leadership & Mentorship: Align engineers across multiple teams on shared technical direction without formal authority. Mentor senior and staff engineers, review designs, and grow the technical depth of the organization.
  • Research-to-Production Translation: Partner with research collaborators and internal scientists to mature promising methods—including learning-based traversability, foundation models, and learned planning—from prototypes into robust, deployed capabilities.
  • Field Reliability & Incident Resolution: Lead root-cause analysis of complex, fleet-wide reliability and performance issues. Establish the observability, diagnostics, and engineering practices that keep robots operating reliably in real-world conditions
What you Have
  • Master’s or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field—or equivalent industry experience.
  • 10+ years of experience building production robotics or autonomy software, with a track record of Principal- or Staff-level technical impact.
  • Deep expertise in modern C++ and Python, with strong command of ROS/ROS2, Linux, and Git.
  • Demonstrated experience architecting large-scale autonomy systems across two or more of: perception, SLAM/localization, planning, and control.
  • Strong foundation in real-time systems, concurrency, and performance optimization.
  • Proven ability to lead complex technical efforts across multiple teams and to influence direction without formal management authority.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication; able to make sound architectural trade-offs and articulate them to engineers and stakeholders alike.
What Will Set You Apart
  • PhD with a strong publication record in robotics, perception, or machine learning.
  • Hands-on experience with both legged and wheeled robot platforms.
  • Experience with learning-based methods for navigation, traversability, or planning, including vision foundation models or reinforcement learning.
  • Experience with simulation environments such as Isaac Sim, Gazebo, or MuJoCo.
  • Track record of deploying and maintaining robot fleets in harsh or unstructured real-world environments.
  • Familiarity with fleet observability and performance tooling (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana).
Our salary range is generous and we consider each individual’s background and experience when determining final compensation. Base pay may vary based on role scope, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and the Irvine, California market.
 
Why Join FieldAI in Irvine?
In Irvine, you will work where the robots are. Our local team builds and tests systems on real hardware with real sensors, then ships them to operate in unstructured, previously unknown environments around the world. We are solving one of robotics’ hardest challenges: reliable deployment outside the lab. Our Field Foundational Models™ raise the bar for perception, planning, localization, and manipulation, with an emphasis on explainability and safety for real-world use.
You will collaborate with a world-class team that thrives on creativity, resilience, and bold thinking. We bring deep experience from organizations such as DeepMind, NASA JPL, Boston Dynamics, NVIDIA, Amazon, Tesla Autopilot, Cruise, Zoox, Toyota Research Institute, and SpaceX, along with a track record of field deployments and strong performance in DARPA challenge segments.
 
Be Part of the Next Robotics Revolution
We are looking for builders who want their work to leave the whiteboard and show up on robots. If you enjoy tackling tough, uncharted questions and working across disciplines, you will find your people here. Our teams span AI, software, robotics engineering, product, field deployment, and technical communication, all focused on shipping systems that perform in the real world.
 
Our headquarters is in Irvine, and we partner closely with teams there as well as colleagues across the US and around the world. Join us in Southern California and help define what dependable, field-ready autonomy looks like.
 
We value diverse perspectives and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We evaluate candidates and employees based on merit, qualifications, and performance, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.