Robotics Engineer Jobs

You design, build, and test robots and autonomous systems. This includes developing perception systems that let robots understand their environment, motion planning algorithms that determine how robots move, and control systems that execute those plans. Day-to-day work involves writing code in Python and C++, running simulations to test algorithms, debugging why a robot behaves unexpectedly, and integrating sensors, actuators, and compute hardware.

Some engineers focus on specific subsystems like computer vision, manipulation, or navigation. Others work as systems integrators who ensure all the pieces work together reliably. Expect significant time debugging both software and hardware issues, since robotics sits at the intersection of mechanical systems, electronics, and software.

The role requires understanding physics, linear algebra, and probability alongside software engineering fundamentals. You'll frequently translate research papers into working code, optimize algorithms for real-time performance, and make tradeoffs between theoretical elegance and practical constraints.

Robotics software and AI companies dominate hiring, followed by aerospace and defense contractors, industrial manufacturing, and autonomous vehicle developers. Companies building warehouse automation, agricultural robots, surgical systems, and service robots all need robotics engineers.

Anduril Industries currently has 24 open positions. NVIDIA hires robotics engineers for simulation platforms and AI-powered manipulation. Anduril builds defense systems. Amazon develops warehouse robots and last-mile delivery systems. Beyond these names, well-funded startups in manipulation, mobile robots, and human-robot interaction are hiring aggressively.

Geographic concentration is strongest in the Bay Area, Seattle, Boston, and Pittsburgh. Defense contractors add opportunities in Southern California, Northern Virginia, and Huntsville. Remote work exists but is less common than pure software roles due to hardware requirements.

Jobs heavily favor Python and C++ programming ability. You need Python for ROS development, machine learning pipelines, and rapid prototyping. You need C++ for real-time control systems, embedded code, and performance-critical algorithms. Most positions expect experience with both.

Beyond programming languages, employers look for simulation experience using tools like Gazebo, Isaac Sim, or MuJoCo. Computer vision, machine learning, and motion control skills appear frequently in job requirements. Familiarity with ROS or ROS2 is nearly universal for anything beyond pure research positions.

The strongest candidates combine theoretical knowledge with practical implementation experience. Having open-source contributions, competition robotics experience, or published research strengthens your position significantly. Most roles expect at least a bachelor's degree in robotics, computer science, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering, with many preferring master's degrees.

Based on 406 job postings, median salaries are $146,913 annually. Entry-level positions for new graduates with relevant internships or research experience start around $107,500. Experienced engineers with 5+ years working on production robotics systems earn $185,700 or more.

Top compensation reaches $335,000 at leading tech companies and well-funded autonomous vehicle startups, particularly for engineers with expertise in safety-critical systems or who've shipped products at scale. Geographic location matters significantly. Bay Area and Seattle roles typically pay 20-30% above positions in other regions.

Equity compensation can substantially increase total compensation at startups and public tech companies. Defense contractors often offer lower base salaries but provide better work-life balance and job stability. Remote positions typically pay between coastal and non-coastal rates.

Not strictly required, but common. Many employers prefer master's degrees, and the field's mathematical depth makes graduate-level coursework valuable. A bachelor's degree in robotics, computer science, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering can get you hired if you have strong project experience, relevant internships, or open-source contributions.

PhD holders have advantages for research-focused roles and positions requiring deep expertise in specific areas like manipulation or reinforcement learning. But a PhD isn't necessary for most industry positions, and some companies avoid hiring fresh PhDs who lack practical engineering experience.

Practical experience often outweighs credentials. Building robots for competition teams, contributing to open-source robotics projects, or completing substantial personal projects demonstrates ability more effectively than coursework alone. Internships at robotics companies during undergrad or graduate school significantly improve hiring prospects.