Remote Robotics Jobs: The 2026 Reality

James Dam •

13 min read • Updated January 30, 2026

Remote robotics jobs exist. They’re just rare. Very rare.

If you’re searching for fully-remote work in robotics, you’ve probably seen the claims: “2,000+ remote robotics jobs” or “1,300+ work-from-home positions.” Those numbers sound promising—until you actually start applying.

Based on our analysis of 3,113 active robotics jobs collected between November 2025 and January 2026, only 2.7% are tagged as remote. But here’s the catch: most of those “remote” positions are field service roles requiring travel to customer sites. True work-from-home robotics jobs? Likely under 2%.

This isn’t what most job boards will tell you. But it’s what you need to know to plan your career realistically.

The Remote Robotics Landscape: A Reality Check

Robotics involves hardware. Hardware requires physical access.

Our analysis of 3,113 active robotics positions reveals a stark distribution:

• Onsite: 2,666 jobs (85.6%)
• Remote: 84 jobs (2.7%)
• Hybrid: 272 jobs (8.7%)
• Not specified: 91 jobs (2.9%)

Even the 2.7% “remote” figure overstates true work-from-home opportunities. Many of these positions are field service engineer roles—“remote” from a corporate office, but requiring regular travel to customer locations for installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

True remote robotics jobs—where you can work entirely from home—likely represent less than 2% of the market.

Why This Discrepancy Exists

Robotics sits at the intersection of software and hardware. While the software components (algorithms, perception, planning) can theoretically be developed remotely, the hardware components (mechanical systems, sensors, actuators) cannot.

You can’t assemble a robot arm over Zoom. You can’t calibrate a LiDAR sensor remotely. You can’t troubleshoot an intermittent hardware connection without physical access.

This hardware reality means that even “remote-friendly” robotics companies typically require:

• Quarterly on-site weeks for team alignment and hardware access
• On-call travel for critical deployments or hardware issues
• Home lab setups that the company provides and maintains

The Simulation Advantage

Simulation tools have expanded remote possibilities. Platforms like Gazebo, NVIDIA Isaac Sim, and Webots allow engineers to develop and test algorithms without physical hardware. For a deeper dive into these tools, see our guide to robot simulation software.

Simulation reduces but doesn’t eliminate the need for physical presence—algorithms developed in simulation must eventually be validated on real hardware, and that validation almost always happens on-site.

What COVID Taught Us

The pandemic forced a global experiment in remote robotics work. What worked: Software-heavy tasks—perception algorithms, navigation stacks, simulation infrastructure—moved home successfully with minimal friction. What didn’t work: Hardware development hit a wall. Mechanical engineers needed access to 3D printers and CNC machines; electrical engineers required oscilloscopes and soldering stations.

The consensus? Remote work is viable for software development, simulation, and algorithm design. Hardware innovation, rapid prototyping, and hands-on learning still require physical presence. The companies that adapted best had strong simulation infrastructure and distributed workflows.

Which Robotics Roles CAN Be Done Remotely

Despite the constraints, certain robotics roles lend themselves to remote or hybrid work. These positions focus on the software side of robotics, where hardware access is intermittent rather than constant.

Software-Heavy Roles (High Remote Compatibility)

Robotics Software Engineer ($105k–$130k median): Develop algorithms for perception, navigation, manipulation, and planning. Work happens primarily in code; on-site presence needed for hardware validation.

Simulation Engineer ($140k–$180k median): The most remote-friendly role. Build virtual environments using Gazebo, NVIDIA Isaac Sim, MuJoCo.

Perception/Computer Vision Engineer ($150k–$200k median): Teach robots to understand their environment through cameras, LiDAR, and sensors. Heavily data-driven.

Robotics AI/ML Engineer ($140k–$220k median): Train models for navigation, manipulation, or decision-making. Well-suited to remote work with simulation.

Hybrid-Compatible Roles

Robotics Technical Program Manager ($189k–$243k median): Coordinate cross-functional projects. Often remote with quarterly visits. Robotics PM Jobs

Hardware-Facing Software (Embedded, Firmware, Controls): Develop algorithms remotely but need hardware for validation—typically 1-2 weeks on-site per month.

Which Robotics Roles CANNOT Be Done Remotely

Some roles require physical presence—no amount of simulation changes this.

Hardware-Centric Roles: Mechanical, Electrical, and Robotics Engineers need physical access for prototyping, PCB assembly, soldering, and testing with oscilloscopes. Innovation happens in the lab, not on a laptop.

Field Service Engineer: Often tagged as “remote” because they’re not office-based, but these roles travel 60-80% of the time to customer sites. “Remote” here means “remote from corporate HQ,” not “work from home.”

Test & R&D Hardware Engineers: Validate performance and develop new designs through physical testing, sensor data collection, and rapid prototyping—impossible without lab access.

Our Data vs. Competitor Claims

Job boards advertise thousands of remote robotics jobs—LinkedIn claims “2,000+,” FlexJobs “1,302+,” Indeed “1,084+.” Our analysis of 3,113 active positions suggests otherwise.

Where the Discrepancy Comes From

1. Field service roles masquerading as remote (travel 60-80% of the time)
2. Hybrid roles tagged as remote (require 1-2 days on-site weekly)
3. Expired/duplicate postings inflating counts
4. Non-robotics roles pulled in by broad search terms (pure software, automation)

The reality: Remote robotics jobs exist but are scarce. Focus on roles that can actually be done remotely (software, simulation, AI/ML), target remote-friendly companies, compete nationally, and consider hybrid as a stepping stone.

Companies Hiring for Remote Robotics Roles

Remote opportunities in robotics are concentrated at specific types of companies. Understanding this landscape helps you focus your search efficiently.

Remote-First Tech Companies

These companies built remote work into their DNA. They’re more likely to have genuine remote robotics roles, though often in software-adjacent areas.

Examples: Waymo (simulation, perception software), NVIDIA (Isaac Sim development, perception research), Zoox (some software engineering roles)

What to expect: Strong remote work infrastructure, competitive compensation, quarterly on-site gatherings, high bar for technical skills.

Established Robotics Companies with Hybrid Options

Traditional robotics companies have embraced hybrid models, even if they remain hardware-centric.

Examples: Boston Dynamics (hybrid roles in software, simulation, controls), iRobot (remote positions in perception, navigation, cloud infrastructure), SARCOS (hybrid controls and software development)

What to expect: 2-3 days per week on-site, remote work for development tasks, may require relocation to within commuting distance.

Simulation and Platform Companies

Companies building robotics tools are naturally more remote-friendly since their products are software.

Examples: Open Robotics (Gazebo, ROS), Cyberbotics (Webots), Diffbot, Intrinsic (Alphabet)

What to expect: High remote compatibility (80-90% typical), strong emphasis on software skills, less direct hardware interaction—good entry point for remote robotics work.

How to Identify Remote-Friendly Companies

Look for these signals:

1. Simulation-first approach: Companies heavily invested in simulation are more likely to have remote roles. Check job descriptions for Gazebo, Isaac Sim, Webots.
2. Distributed team structure: Look for companies with multiple offices or explicit remote work statements. LinkedIn profiles can reveal if engineers are distributed.
3. Software-heavy product focus: Companies focused on software platforms, perception systems, or AI are more remote-friendly than those building physical hardware.
4. Recent funding or hiring: Well-funded companies expanding their teams are more likely to consider remote arrangements to access talent.

Geographic Considerations

Remote doesn’t always mean “anywhere.” Many companies have restrictions:

• US-only remote: Most common due to export control and tax implications
• Specific states only: Companies may limit remote to states where they already have payroll
• Time zone alignment: Some roles require overlap with business hours
• International remote: Rare in US-based robotics companies due to ITAR restrictions. More common in non-defense robotics (agricultural, medical, consumer).

Compensation: Remote vs. Onsite

Does remote work pay more or less in robotics? The data reveals an interesting picture.

Our Salary Data

From our analysis of 3,113 active robotics jobs with salary information:

Interpret with caution: The remote sample is very small (42 positions), and many of these “remote” roles are field service positions, which typically pay less than specialized software roles. This likely skews the average downward.

Specialized remote roles typically command higher salaries: Robotics Software Engineer ($150k+ for 100% remote), Simulation Engineer ($180k–$220k), Perception/Navigation Engineer ($150k–$200k).

Key Factors Influencing Remote Pay

Specialization level: High-demand areas (AI/ML, perception, navigation) command premiums. Robotics AI/ML Engineers earn $140k–$220k, Perception Engineers $150k–$200k.

Experience level: Remote roles skew toward more experienced engineers. Our data shows Senior/Lead+ roles represent 39.3% of remote positions vs. 17.9% entry/mid-level. Companies are more comfortable hiring experienced engineers remotely.

Geographic adjustments: Some companies adjust pay based on employee location. Clarify during negotiation: does the role pay based on your location or company HQ location? See our robotics salary guide for comprehensive compensation data.

Career growth: Remote workers may be less likely to get promoted than on-site colleagues—being physically present makes visibility easier. Mitigate this by over-communicating your contributions, building relationships with leadership through regular 1:1s, visiting on-site quarterly, and taking on visible projects.

Skills That Make You Remote-Employable

The robotics professionals who land remote roles share a specific skill profile.

Core Technical Skills

ROS/ROS2 Expertise: Deep ROS expertise is non-negotiable for remote work. Master ROS2 architecture, production-quality ROS nodes, remote ROS workflows (SSH into robots), and containerized ROS development. ROS enables you to develop, test, and deploy code without physical access.

Simulation Proficiency: Simulation is your gateway to remote work. Essential tools include Gazebo (free, well-documented, industry-standard), NVIDIA Isaac Sim (photorealistic rendering, GPU-accelerated physics), and MuJoCo (for reinforcement learning). Demonstrate ability to build realistic simulation environments, validate fidelity, and debug in simulation vs. hardware.

Programming Languages: Python (dominant in AI/ML, perception, tooling) and C++ (required for performance-critical code). Proficiency in both is standard.

Cloud and DevOps Skills: Docker for reproducible environments, Git for version control, CI/CD pipelines, cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure). Remote teams need robust, automated infrastructure.

Domain-Specific Skills

Perception and Computer Vision: OpenCV, deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow), sensor fusion (camera, LiDAR, radar), 3D geometry and point cloud processing.

Navigation and Planning: SLAM, path planning algorithms (A*, RRT, MPC), behavior planning and decision making, map representation and management.

AI and Machine Learning: Reinforcement learning for robot control, deep learning for perception, data pipeline development, model training and deployment at scale.

Soft Skills for Remote Success

Written Communication: Remote work is asynchronous. Demonstrate clear documentation, well-structured pull requests, effective email and Slack communication, and ability to explain complex concepts in plain language.

Self-Direction and Motivation: Remote teams can’t micromanage. Show this through documented side projects, self-directed learning, history of shipping work without supervision, and ability to prioritize and manage your time.

Collaboration Skills: Highlight experience with distributed teams, code review experience, cross-functional collaboration, and conflict resolution in remote settings.

Job Search Strategies for Remote Robotics Roles

Finding a remote robotics job requires a different approach. Supply is limited, competition is national, and you need to stand out.

Target Remote-First Companies

Build a target list of 20-30 remote-friendly robotics companies by checking careers pages for explicit remote policies, searching LinkedIn for remote engineers, and looking for active open-source presence. Tailored applications to remote-friendly companies beat generic applications to 100 random companies.

Leverage Simulation Projects

Simulation is your competitive advantage. Build 2-3 portfolio projects demonstrating perception pipelines, navigation systems, or end-to-end demos in simulation. Explore: ROS navigation, Gazebo plugins, Isaac Sim examples. Employers look for clean code, clear documentation, and simulation-to-hardware thinking.

Network Intentionally

Remote hiring relies heavily on referrals. Join communities (ROS Discourse, IEEE RAS, Reddit r/robotics), attend virtual events (ROS World, ICRA/IROS webinars), and contribute to open-source. Personalized LinkedIn outreach to engineers at target companies yields 20-30% response rates.

Optimize Your Application for Remote

Resume: Add a “Remote Work Skills” section highlighting remote collaboration, asynchronous communication, self-directed projects, and time zone management. Quantify impact: “Delivered project fully remote,” “Collaborated across X time zones.”

Cover letter: Demonstrate company understanding, align with values, provide specific skill examples, and explicitly address remote capabilities.

Consider Hybrid as a Stepping Stone

Hybrid roles are more common. Join a hybrid-friendly company, demonstrate effectiveness from home, build trust, then negotiate more remote days after 6-12 months. Ask: “What percentage of your team works fully remote vs. hybrid?” and “How do you evaluate remote performance?”

Broaden Your Role Definition

Pure “Robotics Engineer” roles are least remote-friendly. Consider adjacent roles: Robotics Software Engineer, Perception Engineer (specialization = advantage), Simulation Engineer (enables remote), or Data Engineer. Position yourself as the software/simulation specialist—that’s where remote work is.

Is a Remote Robotics Career Right for You?

Remote work isn’t inherently better or worse—it’s a trade-off that depends on your career goals, work style, and circumstances.

The Advantages

Geographic freedom: Live anywhere while working for top companies—especially valuable if you want lower-cost living with SF/NYC-level salaries or have personal reasons to be in a specific location.

Focus and productivity: Eliminate office distractions and enable deep work. Ideal if you prefer focused, uninterrupted time or have non-standard peak productivity hours.

Flexibility and autonomy: Set your own schedule within collaboration bounds. Start early or late, schedule appointments without taking half-days off.

Cost savings: No commuting (saves 4.5 hours/week on average) or related costs (gas, transit, parking, wardrobe).

Access to opportunities: Remove geographic constraints. Apply anywhere, work for companies you couldn’t otherwise access.

The Disadvantages

Slower career advancement: Remote workers may get promoted less frequently—being visible matters. Mitigate by over-communicating impact, regular 1:1s with leadership, quarterly on-site visits, and taking visible projects.

Isolation and loneliness: Remote work can be socially isolating. Mitigate by scheduling regular video chats, joining remote robotics communities, attending conferences, and using coworking spaces.

Learning limitations: Can’t learn by osmosis as easily. Mitigate by being explicit about learning goals, recording work for feedback, investing in structured learning, and seeking virtual mentorship.

Hardware access constraints: Even with simulation, some tasks require physical hardware. You’ll depend on on-site colleagues for validation.

The Hybrid Alternative

Hybrid (2-3 days remote, 2-3 days on-site) offers a middle path: in-person collaboration, hardware access when needed, flexibility for focused work, and better visibility for advancement. Works best for early-career engineers, roles needing regular hardware access, and anyone within commuting distance of a tech hub.

Decision Framework

Remote is a good fit if you: Have 3+ years experience in a specialized area (perception, navigation, simulation, AI/ML), are self-directed, have strong written communication, value geographic freedom over rapid advancement, and accept that some career paths (hardware, management) will be harder remotely.

On-site or hybrid is better if you: Are early in your career, prefer in-person collaboration, want hardware-heavy roles, prioritize rapid advancement, live near a tech hub, or enjoy office culture.

Many robotics professionals start on-site, move remote after 5+ years, and return to hybrid/onsite later for management or hardware-focused positions.

Remote robotics jobs exist. They’re just rare—likely under 2% of the market when you filter out field service roles masquerading as remote and account for the reality that “remote” often means “remote from corporate office but traveling to customer sites.”

This helps you search strategically.

The path to a remote robotics career:

1. Focus on remote-compatible roles—software, simulation, perception, AI/ML
2. Build simulation expertise—Gazebo, Isaac Sim, cloud-based workflows
3. Target remote-friendly companies—remote-first tech companies, platform companies, simulation vendors
4. Demonstrate remote effectiveness—portfolio projects, open-source contributions, clear communication
5. Consider hybrid as a stepping stone—prove your effectiveness remotely, then negotiate fully remote
6. Be prepared to compete nationally—you’re up against candidates across the country, not just locally

Remote work in robotics won’t be as easy to find as remote work in pure software engineering. Hardware requires physical presence. But for engineers with the right skills, strategy, and persistence, remote robotics careers are achievable.

The supply is limited. The competition is fierce. But the opportunities exist for those who know where to look and how to position themselves.

Ready to start your search? Browse all remote robotics jobs and hybrid positions hiring now.