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Senior Robotics Software Engineer Jobs in California

Apple

Senior Robotics Software Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$151K - $199K/yr

This position requires a self-motivated robotics software engineer with strong technical and interpersonal skills to handle responsibilities including: Minimum Qualifications BS/MS in Computer ...

Apple

Senior Robotics Software Engineer

Cupertino, CA

$184K - $324K/yr

This position requires a self-motivated robotics software engineer with strong technical and interpersonal skills to handle responsibilities including:","responsibilities":"Designing and implementing ...

RoboForce

Robotics Software Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$120K - $195K/yr

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 ...

RoboForce

Robotics Software Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$120K - $195K/yr

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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Showing results 21-40

All JobsRobotics Software Engineer JobsSenior Robotics Software Engineer JobsSenior Robotics Software Engineer Jobs in California

Senior Robotics Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$74.5K

$141.4K

$189.5K

How much do senior robotics software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior robotics software engineer in California is $141,415.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,900.00 and $159,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior robotics software engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Robotics Software Engineer, you need advanced programming skills (often in C++, Python, or ROS), a strong background in computer science or engineering, and extensive experience with robotics algorithms. Familiarity with simulation tools (like Gazebo or MATLAB), version control systems, and relevant certifications in robotics or AI are highly valuable. Problem-solving, leadership, and excellent communication skills help drive complex projects and mentor junior engineers. These skills are essential to develop robust robotic systems, ensure seamless team collaboration, and deliver innovative solutions in a rapidly evolving field.

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

AspectSenior Robotics Software EngineerRobotics Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Robotics, Computer Science, or related field; experience preferredBachelor's in relevant field; entry-level to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing, or tech companies focusing on robotics developmentSimilar environments, often in startups or established tech firms
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in robotics companies, automation firms, and research institutionsCommon in similar industries, often as entry to mid-level roles

The main difference between a Senior Robotics Software Engineer and a Robotics Software Engineer lies in experience and responsibility. Senior roles typically require more experience, leadership, and project management skills, whereas entry-level roles focus on developing core technical skills. Both roles are vital in robotics development across various industries.

What are some typical challenges a senior robotics software engineer faces when integrating software with hardware systems?

A Senior Robotics Software Engineer often encounters challenges when ensuring that the software communicates reliably and efficiently with a variety of hardware components, such as sensors, actuators, and embedded controllers. Debugging real-time issues, handling latency, and synchronizing multiple subsystems are common hurdles. Additionally, adapting software to accommodate frequent hardware changes or updates and maintaining robust system performance under different operating conditions require both technical depth and strong cross-disciplinary collaboration with hardware engineers and technicians.

What is a senior robotics software engineer?

Senior Robotics Software Engineers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and maintain software systems that control robots and automated machinery. They work on advanced algorithms, perception, motion planning, and integration with hardware to enable robotic systems to perform complex tasks safely and efficiently. These engineers often lead technical projects, mentor junior team members, and collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to bring innovative robotic solutions to life. Their expertise is crucial in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and autonomous vehicles.
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 Senior Robotics Software Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Senior Robotics Software Engineer job openings:
Senior Robotics Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Robotics Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,415 per year, or $68 per hour.

Senior Robotics Software Engineer (Perception & Localization)

Orchard Robotics

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Orchard Robotics is a Series A startup backed by top VCs like Quiet Capital, Shine Capital, and General Catalyst. We're securing America’s food supply by building the AI farmer that automates our nation’s farms. We've raised over $25M in pursuit of our mission to help farmers farm more profitably and sustainably than ever before.

What We Do:

We start by building AI-powered camera systems that collect the most valuable data for farmers, telling them everything about what is growing on their millions of trees, vines, and plants, across thousands of acres of farmland.

Our state-of-the-art AI analyzes every one of the billions of fruit across a farm. We provide accurate yield estimates, fruit counts, size projections, disease detection, inventories, bloom maps, and more! All this data lives in our cloud platform, FruitScope OS, that we've developed from the ground up to enable farmers to manage their crop with precision.

Today, our technology is trusted by some of the largest farms in the nation. We are growing fast, and have the industry-leading product. Farmers use our software every day to make critical decisions and run more efficient, profitable operations.

The Role:

In order to analyze billions of fruit on farms all year long, our advanced, tractor-mounted camera systems have to know a.) precisely where they are, and b.) everything about the fruit they are seeing.

We are looking for a Senior Robotics Software Engineer to invent creative, practical, and robust solutions to real-world computer vision problems relating to perception and localization.

About the role: 

  • Full-time, in-person role at our San Francisco or Seattle office

  • As an early employee, you'll receive generous equity compensation

  • Comprehensive Health, Vision, and Dental coverage, and we cover 100% of the premium

  • We move fast, and sometimes this means staying late or working weekends

  • Our team is close-knit & highly driven, you’ll work directly with our CEO and entire team

  • We’re deeply motivated by the impact we’re making – every line of code written or new system built means less food that goes to waste, and more people who are fed.

What you’ll do:

  • Develop robotics software that runs on our tractor-mounted, AI-powered camera systems, including advanced perception & localization algorithms.

  • Implement intelligent systems and processes to interpret complex, real-world data (each system collects terabytes of raw image data every day).

  • Fuse sensor data (stereo depth, GNSS, etc) to localize our camera system in a farm.

  • Optimize code for fast edge computing performance (Python, C++).

  • Be a generalist, supporting different parts of our software and hardware stack if needed.

What makes you a good fit:

  • Hands-on experience developing robotics software from the ground up.

  • 4+ years of real-world industry experience in robotics, perception, or localization.

  • Expertise in one or more of the following areas: computer vision, stereo depth perception, pose estimation, object detection, multi-object tracking, image processing, robotics software.

  • Enthusiasm for taking on multiple roles and responsibilities as our company grows.

  • You like fast-paced environments where you have high ownership over your work.

Bonus Points:

  • Experience deploying & optimizing robotics algorithms to run fast on embedded compute like NVIDIA Jetson.

  • Familiarity with fusing data from GNSS, IMU, depth, and other sensors.

If you're looking to help make a positive impact in the world by building the future of farming, come join us!

Compensation Range: $150K - $250K