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Virtual Robotics Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Meta

AI Research Scientist, Robotics

Burlingame, CA

$219K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or ... Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual ...

Meta

AI Research Scientist, Robotics

Burlingame, CA

$154K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or ... Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual ...

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All JobsRobotics Engineer JobsVirtual Robotics Engineer JobsVirtual Robotics Engineer Jobs in California

Virtual Robotics Engineer information

See California salary details

$28.6K

$104.2K

$166.8K

How much do virtual robotics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for virtual robotics engineer in California is $104,222.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,400.00 and $125,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a virtual robotics engineer?

Virtual robotics engineers are professionals who design, develop, and test robotic systems using virtual simulation environments. Instead of building physical robots, they use specialized software to model, program, and analyze robot behavior in a digital space. This allows for rapid prototyping, troubleshooting, and optimization before any physical construction occurs. Virtual robotics engineers often work in fields like automation, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and research, ensuring that robotic systems function as intended before real-world deployment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a virtual robotics engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Virtual Robotics Engineer, you need strong proficiency in robotics principles, programming (such as Python, C++, or ROS), and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with simulation tools like Gazebo, V-REP, or Unity, along with experience using CAD software and version control systems, is typically required. Excellent problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for excelling in virtual team environments and tackling complex tasks. These skills and qualifications are essential for designing, testing, and deploying effective robotic solutions in a virtual setting, ensuring both innovation and reliability.

What are some typical challenges faced by virtual robotics engineers when collaborating remotely with cross-functional teams?

Virtual Robotics Engineers often work with diverse teams including software developers, hardware engineers, and project managers, many of whom may be distributed across different locations. A common challenge is ensuring clear communication and alignment on project requirements, especially when integrating virtual simulations with real-world robotics systems. To address this, engineers frequently use collaborative tools, maintain thorough documentation, and participate in regular sync meetings. Fostering strong teamwork and proactively clarifying technical details can help minimize misunderstandings and keep projects on track.

What is the difference between Virtual Robotics Engineer vs Robotics Software Developer?

AspectVirtual Robotics EngineerRobotics Software Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Robotics, Computer Science, or related; certifications in robotics or programmingBachelor's in Computer Science, Robotics, or related; programming certifications
Work EnvironmentRemote or on-site, designing and testing virtual robotics systemsPrimarily software development, often remote or on-site
Employer & Industry UsageRobotics companies, research labs, tech firmsTech companies, startups, research institutions
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The Virtual Robotics Engineer focuses on designing, testing, and simulating robotics systems in virtual environments, often requiring knowledge of robotics hardware and simulation tools. In contrast, a Robotics Software Developer primarily writes and maintains software for robotics applications, emphasizing programming skills. Both roles often overlap in skills and industry usage but differ in their core responsibilities and work environments.

Can a virtual robotics engineer work remotely?

Yes, virtual robotics engineers can often work remotely, especially if their role involves designing software, programming, simulation, or remote collaboration. However, some tasks may require on-site presence for hardware setup, testing, or maintenance, depending on the company's policies and project requirements.

Is there a high demand for virtual robotics engineers?

Virtual robotics engineers are in growing demand as industries increasingly adopt automation, simulation, and remote development tools. Skills in robotics programming, CAD, and simulation software like ROS or Gazebo enhance employability in this expanding field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Robotics Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Robotics Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Virtual Robotics Engineer jobs in California?

For Virtual Robotics Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Virtual Robotics Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Virtual Robotics Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Virtual Robotics Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Virtual Robotics Engineer job openings:

Virtual Robotics Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Virtual Robotics Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 38% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 59% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,222 per year, or $50.1 per hour.

Senior Robotics Test Engineer

ATOMS Careers page

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$176K - $242K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Who we are
Pronto AI is a global leader in commercializing autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, deploying Autonomous Haulage Systems (AHS) that automate operations in mines, quarries, and construction sites worldwide. While much of the industry remains in R&D, we deliver real, production-ready autonomy that is already operating in the field.
We are on a mission to make mining operations safer, smarter, and more efficient through cutting-edge technology, and we are building toward becoming the world's first profitable AV technology company.
What you'll do
  • Test Platform & Infrastructure - Design and build the core test infrastructure: harnesses, fixtures, runners, orchestration, and test artifact management for our ZMQ/Cap'n Proto middleware stack
  • Simulation-Based Testing - Build the simulation infrastructure that lets us run autonomy software against virtual scenarios, with deterministic playback and meaningful coverage of real-world conditions
  • CI/CD for Robotics - Build and maintain the testing pipeline that gates code changes - unit, integration, simulation, and replay-based regression - and integrate it cleanly into the developer workflow
  • Log Replay & Recorded Scenario Testing - Build infrastructure that converts production logs into reproducible test cases the QA Engineer can curate and the dev team can run

What we're looking for
  • 3+ years of software engineering experience, with significant work on testing infrastructure, developer tools, or distributed systems
  • Strong Python - you'll write substantial code, much of it touching production-adjacent infrastructure
  • Experience designing and building automation pipelines (CI/CD, test orchestration, build systems)
  • Deep familiarity with at least one large-scale software platform - comfortable thinking in terms of APIs, abstractions, and platform usability
  • Excellent debugging and systems thinking - you'll be reasoning about failures across simulation, networking, serialization, and CI infrastructure
  • Comfort building greenfield - much of what you'll work on does not exist today

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with robotics, autonomous vehicles, or other safety-critical systems
  • Hands-on experience with simulation environments (Gazebo, CARLA, Isaac Sim, or proprietary)
  • Familiarity with pub/sub messaging systems (ZMQ, ROS, DDS) and binary serialization formats (Cap'n Proto, Protobuf)
  • C++ familiarity - enough to read and integrate against the autonomy stack
  • Cloud infrastructure experience for parallel test execution (AWS/GCP, Kubernetes)
  • Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing or real-time systems
  • Performance engineering background - you've debugged and optimized slow CI/test pipelines before

Technical Environment
  • Languages: Python
  • Test Frameworks: pytest, simulation-based
  • Infrastructure: Docker, GitHub Actions, cloud compute for simulation
  • Communication/Documentation: Slack, Notion

Example Projects
  • Build a simulation harness that runs the full autonomy stack against parameterized mining scenarios in cloud-based parallel execution
  • Design a log-to-test-case pipeline that ingests a production log fragment and produces a deterministic replay test the QA Engineer can add to a regression suite
  • Build a test platform dashboard that surfaces flaky tests, slow tests, and coverage gaps to the QA Engineer and developer lead

Why join us
  • Work on real, production-deployed autonomy.
  • Build technology that directly improves safety, efficiency, and productivity.
  • Tackle complex challenges in demanding, real-world environments.
  • Be part of a fast-moving team with high ownership and impact.
  • See your work deployed and making a difference in the field.
  • Collaborate closely with experienced engineers and industry operators.

What else you need to know
This role is based in our San Francisco office location. As a company driven by innovation and continuous change, close collaboration is essential. We're constantly reimagining our industry, creating new products, and refining our processes, and we do our best work together. That's why all of our office-based teams work onsite, five days a week.
The base salary range for this role is $176,000 - $242,000 per year.
Actual compensation will be determined on an individual basis and may vary depending on experience, skills, and qualifications.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package. You may also be eligible for equity awards.
Benefits Summary (USA Full-Time Exempt Employees):
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account / Health Savings Account Options
  • 401(k)
  • Equity
  • Sick Time, Unlimited Flexible Time Off, and Paid Holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Pre-Tax Commuter Benefit Plan
  • Team lunch in our SoMa office every Tuesday and Thursday

Benefits are subject to change at the company's discretion.
Pronto accepts applications on an ongoing basis.
Ready to join us as we serve those who serve others?
#LI-Onsite

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