1

Senior Robotics Software Engineer Jobs in California

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 · 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 ...

As a Robotics Software Engineer, you will develop high-performance, real-time software for edge devices, focusing on distributed system design and performance optimization. Responsibilities : • ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

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 Jun 16, 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, and why are they important?

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 are Senior Robotics Software Engineers?

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:
Infographic showing various Senior Robotics Software Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $141,415 per year, or $68 per hour.
Senior Robotics Software Engineer, Sensor Fusion

Senior Robotics Software Engineer, Sensor Fusion

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA

$191K - $253K/yr

Other

Posted 7 days ago


Anduril rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.
ABOUT THE TEAM
On the Air Dominance & Strike team, we build hardware and software that allows masses of autonomous aerial systems to think, coordinate, and act together.
We are looking for a Senior Robotics Software Engineer who wants to work at the intersection of advanced math and physical hardware. You will write the onboard software that handles sensor fusion, target tracking, and state estimation, enabling our unmanned vehicles to perceive their environment and collaborate in real-time. This is a highly technical, high-impact individual contributor role.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Sensor Fusion & State Estimation: You will write the algorithms (utilizing C++ and Rust) that ingest raw data from multiple onboard sensors (radar, optical, etc.) and fuse them into a single, highly accurate picture of the world.
  • Collaborative Autonomy: Help build the protocols that allow multiple physical robots to share tracking data, coordinate search patterns, and achieve "effects at mass" as a cohesive swarm.
  • Onboard Deployment: Write highly optimized, low-latency code that runs onboard Linux-based compute modules on multi-domain unmanned systems.
  • Modern Tooling: We use Nix for deterministic, reproducible builds and deployment on our hardware platforms, alongside C++, Rust, and Python.
QUALIFICATIONS
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance
  • Bachelors, Masters, or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
  • Hardware-Adjacent & Onboard Systems: You are intimately familiar with writing application-level software that runs onboard physical systems (running Linux). Bonus points if you have experience with electrical sensor integration (I2C, SPI, CAN, Ethernet).
  • Strong Math/Algorithmic Foundation: You understand the fundamentals of localization, Kalman filtering, state estimation, and tracking.
  • Polyglot Coder: You write production-grade C++ or Rust, prototype quickly in Python, and appreciate modern build tools like Nix.
  • Pragmatic Doer: You want to see your code fly. You prefer writing code and testing it on physical hardware over sitting in long meetings or writing endless theoretical papers (this role is 80% active development).

What Success Looks Like (Your First Year)
  • At 6 Months: You have shipped production software to real robots. Your code is actively running on physical hardware during customer demonstrations or operational testing, solving a real-world tracking or fusion bottleneck.
  • At 12 Months: You are the undisputed subject matter expert (SME) for our tracking and fusion product features. When other teams at Anduril have questions about state estimation or target tracking, they come to you.

US Salary Range
$191,000-$253,000 USD
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:
Benefits
At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you're supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.
Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams
Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information.
To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind:
  • No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates.
  • Please always verify communications:
    • Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address.
    • Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to
  • Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links.
  • What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts.

Data Privacy
To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit
By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third-party service provider to conduct pre-employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third-party service provider provides risk-intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public-record information, and other lawful open-source or commercial data sources. This third-party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.

Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

Social media