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Sensor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Amazon

Senior Sensor Architect, Edge Tech

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

In this role, you will: • Architect sensing systems into world-class devices and cutting-edge prototypes. • Own end-to-end sensor architecture definition and development. • Interpret customer ...

Rivian

Staff Sensor Design Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$167K - $209K/yr

Role Summary In this role, the Sensor Design Engineer will own sensor system design, bring-up, and validation for the current and next generation of Rivian electric vehicles. This would be a highly ...

Meta

Sensor Hardware Integration Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$144K - $204K/yr

As a Sensor Electrical Engineer, you will be a member of our System EE Team for the next generation Smart Glasses; driving the sensor electrical design and development, working on leading edge ...

Rivian

Staff Sensor Design Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$167K - $209K/yr

Role Summary In this role, the Sensor Design Engineer will own sensor system design, bring-up, and validation for the current and next generation of Rivian electric vehicles. This would be a highly ...

Dexcom

Director of Sensor Research

San Diego, CA · On-site

Based in sunny San Diego, our Sensor Engineering team is at the forefront of developingcutting-edgebiosensing technologies that transform lives. As part of R&D,we'rea passionate, multidisciplinary ...

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Sensor information

See California salary details

$14

$29

$44

How much do sensor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for sensor in California is $29.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.70 and $33.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a sensor job?

A sensor job involves designing, testing, installing, or maintaining sensors used to detect physical or environmental conditions such as temperature, pressure, motion, or light. These roles often require knowledge of electronics, programming, and data analysis, and may involve working in manufacturing, research, or field environments.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering with extensive experience and advanced skills can earn salaries around $500,000 annually. These roles often require advanced degrees, certifications, and leadership responsibilities, and compensation may include bonuses and stock options.

Which 3 jobs will survive AI?

Sensor technicians and engineers are likely to continue working alongside AI, as their roles involve complex troubleshooting, calibration, and maintenance of hardware that requires hands-on skills. Data analysts and cybersecurity specialists are also expected to remain in demand, as AI tools often augment their work rather than replace it entirely, especially in environments requiring critical thinking and specialized knowledge.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Sensor position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Sensor in an industrial or scientific setting, you need strong analytical and observational skills, attention to detail, and familiarity with data collection or quality assessment methodologies. Typically, Sensors use specialized measuring instruments, data logging software, and may require certifications relevant to safety or technical standards. Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help Sensors excel, especially when relaying findings or collaborating on process improvements. These skills are vital for ensuring accurate and reliable monitoring, supporting operational efficiency, and identifying potential issues promptly.

Why is Gen Z struggling to get jobs?

Sensor roles often require technical skills, certifications, and experience, which can be challenging for Gen Z job seekers due to limited work history. Additionally, competition from more experienced candidates and the need for adaptability to new technologies can make entry-level positions more difficult to secure for younger applicants.

What is a Sensor job?

A Sensor job typically involves working with sensor technologies to collect, analyze, and interpret data for various applications. This role may include designing, developing, testing, and maintaining sensors used in industries like automotive, healthcare, manufacturing, and environmental monitoring. Responsibilities often involve programming, signal processing, calibration, and integration with other systems. Sensor professionals may work as engineers, technicians, or researchers focused on improving accuracy and reliability. The job requires knowledge of electronics, physics, and data analysis tools.

What are some common challenges Sensors face on the job?

Sensors often work in environments where maintaining accuracy and consistency under time constraints can be a challenge, especially when multiple samples need to be analyzed quickly. Adapting to new technologies, processes, or strict regulatory standards may also require ongoing training and attention. Additionally, Sensors must remain vigilant for minor anomalies, as small errors can impact overall quality or safety. However, these challenges are balanced by established procedures, team support, and opportunities to develop specialized technical expertise over time.

What are popular job titles related to Sensor jobs in California? For Sensor jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Sensor jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Sensor jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Sensor jobs? Cities in California with the most Sensor job openings:
Sensor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sensor job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 56% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $61,019 per year, or $29.3 per hour.

Sensor Technology Fellowship (6-12 months)

Volkswagen AG

Belmont, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

As MOIA America, we develop and realize fully autonomous mobility and transportation services. Our mission is to make mobility-and transportation-as-a-service safe, accessible and most attractive for society. For that, we cover the entire ground from strategy and business development, software development and end-2-end integration, fleet operations to next-generation self-driving systems. Being the driver in Volkswagen Group initiative for mobility solutions, we're an integral part of Volkswagen Group's future success.

Brief Role Description

We are looking for a motivated intern to join our Autonomous Driving Sensor team. You will support the evaluation and benchmarking of perception sensors - primarily LiDAR, radar, and camera - used in autonomous driving applications. This is a hands-on engineering role where you will work directly with sensor hardware, recorded datasets, and processing pipelines to characterize sensor performance under real-world conditions.

Possible Tasks within this Role
  • Conduct systematic sensor assessments covering detection range, resolution, field of view, and accuracy across environmental conditions (weather, lighting, temperature)
  • Process and analyze 3D point cloud data from LiDAR and radar sensors to extract performance metrics such as point density at range, reflectivity response, and angular resolution
  • Define and compute sensor KPIs; Integrate new KPIs in assessment pipeline
  • Develop and maintain Python-based tooling for automated sensor data evaluation and reporting
  • Translate sensor-level measurement results into system-level context: map component performance (e.g., detection range, angular accuracy) to Self-Driving System (SDS) requirements and identify gaps or margins
  • Support test campaign planning, including scenario definition, and environmental condition coverage
  • Document results in structured test reports and contribute to sensor selection decisions
  • Leverage modern AI tools (Claude, Codex, MCP integrations) to accelerate data analysis, code development, and documentation - and help the team adopt AI-native workflows

What You'll Learn
Systems engineering thinking: How to trace sensor-level performance (component KPIs) to full Self-Driving System requirements - understanding where a sensor's capabilities enable or limit system-level safety and functionality
State-of-the-art sensor hardware: Hands-on experience with current-generation LiDAR, radar, and camera sensors - from unboxing and integration to data capture and analysis
Test case development: How to derive targeted test cases from system requirements, identify coverage gaps, and design experiments that produce actionable engineering evidence
Effective engineering communication: Presenting technical findings clearly to cross-functional stakeholders, writing concise test reports, and supporting decision-making in a fast-moving team
AI-native engineering workflows: Building proficiency with LLM tools and agentic integrations to accelerate analysis, automate repetitive tasks, and establish best practices the team can scale
Sensor physics in practice: How datasheet specifications translate (or fail to translate) to real-world performance under adverse conditions 

Qualification requirements

Required Education

  • Currently pursuing a degree (Bachelor's or Master's) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Robotics, or a related technical field. If you are pursuing a Bachelor's degree, you must have senior standing at a minimum.
  • You must have a 3.0 GPA (Transcripts are required for consideration)

Required Skills

  • Familiarity with Python for data analysis and scripting (NumPy, pandas, matplotlib or similar)
  • Familiarity with Ubuntu
  • Background with Ethernet and serial communication
  • Basic knowledge of C++ (reading and modifying existing codebases)
  • Foundational understanding of at least one sensor modality (LiDAR, radar, or camera) - operating principles, key parameters, and typical limitations
  • Ability to work with 3D point cloud data (coordinate systems, transformations, filtering)
  • Strong analytical mindset and attention to detail when interpreting measurement data
  • Hands-on experience with LLM-assisted workflows (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot/Codex) for coding, analysis, or technical writing - you actively use AI tools to work faster and smarter

Nice to Have

  • Experience with point cloud libraries (Open3D, PCL, or similar)
  • Familiarity with sensor data formats (PCD, rosbag, MF4, PCAP)
  • Exposure to radar signal processing concepts (Doppler, CFAR detection, range-velocity ambiguity)
  • Knowledge of image processing fundamentals (ISP pipeline, lens distortion, HDR)
  • Understanding of sensor fusion concepts and coordinate frame calibration
  • Experience with Git, Linux, and automated testing workflows
  • Familiarity with MCP (Model Context Protocol) or building custom AI tool integrations
Compensation Data

For a Silicon Valley Fellowship, the hourly rates are as follows:

  • Bachelor's:     $34/hr
  • Masters:         $38/hr
  • PhD:               $42/hr

MOIA America is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.

This role description is a guideline and does not create contractual rights between the Company and any of its applicants. The Company does not enter into any type of employment contract, implied or written, with its applicants regarding job security.

This Organization participates in E-Verify. We maintain a drug free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

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