Robotics Engineer Jobs in California
Robotics Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, automotive automation, and warehouse logistics, with openings from entry-level controls technicians through principal systems engineers. The largest hiring hubs are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where employers like Intuitive Surgical, Northrop Grumman, and Tesla have long-established engineering operations. The most in-demand specialties right now are autonomous systems, computer vision, and ROS-based motion planning. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 204+ Robotics Engineer jobs
Consider before submitting an application:
This position is expected to start around January 2027 and continue through the entire Spring term (ending approximately May 2027 or later, if available). We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, Full - Time (40 hours/week) and on-site, for most internships. Our internship program is for students who are actively enrolled in an academic program. Recent graduates seeking employment after graduation and not returning to school should apply for full-time positions, not internships.
The Internship Recruiting Team is driven by the passion to recognize and develop emerging talent. Our year-round program places the best students in positions where they will grow technically, professionally, and personally through their experience working closely with their manager, mentor, and team. We are dedicated to providing an experience that allows the intern to experience life at Tesla by including them in projects that are critical to their team’s success.
International Students: If your work authorization is through CPT, please consult your school on your ability to work 40 hours per week before applying. You must be able to work 40 hours per week on-site. Many students will be limited to part-time during the academic year.
What You'll Do
- CFD modeling of heat transer and fluid flow
- Develop innovative approaches to enhance radiative heat transfer in small modules
- Perform tolerance analysis, finite element analysis and simulations
- Test and validate the electronic systems across all low voltages electronics
- Provide support to manufacturing lines and test engineers to quickly identify issues, resolve problems, and come up with production solutions
- Create clear documentation and presentations to communicate concepts, designs, and findings
What You'll Bring
- Currently pursing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, or thermals-related field with a graduation date between May 2027 - December 2027
- Strong understanding of fundamentals of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics
- Experience in CFD and developming numerica models of thermal/fluid systems at any level
- Passionate about electro-mechanical product design, creative problem solving, and finding simple solutions to complex mechanical and thermal challenges
- Hands-on experience with mechanical or thermal testing and data analysis
- Strong teamwork, communication and presentation skills
Benefits
As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for:
- Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
- Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
- Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans. Both have an option with a $0 payroll contribution
- Company Paid (Health Savings Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Medical Plan with HSA
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
- Company Paid Basic Life, AD&D, and short-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions), and Paid Holidays
- Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
- Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
- Commuter benefits
- Employee discounts and perks program
Expected Compensation
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.
Consider before submitting an application:
This position is expected to start around January 2027 and continue through the entire Spring term (ending approximately May 2027 or later, if available). We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, Full - Time (40 hours/week) and on-site, for most internships. Our internship program is for students who are actively enrolled in an academic program. Recent graduates seeking employment after graduation and not returning to school should apply for full-time positions, not internships.
The Internship Recruiting Team is driven by the passion to recognize and develop emerging talent. Our year-round program places the best students in positions where they will grow technically, professionally, and personally through their experience working closely with their manager, mentor, and team. We are dedicated to providing an experience that allows the intern to experience life at Tesla by including them in projects that are critical to their team’s success.
International Students: If your work authorization is through CPT, please consult your school on your ability to work 40 hours per week before applying. You must be able to work 40 hours per week on-site. Many students will be limited to part-time during the academic year.
What You'll Do
- CFD modeling of heat transer and fluid flow
- Develop innovative approaches to enhance radiative heat transfer in small modules
- Perform tolerance analysis, finite element analysis and simulations
- Test and validate the electronic systems across all low voltages electronics
- Provide support to manufacturing lines and test engineers to quickly identify issues, resolve problems, and come up with production solutions
- Create clear documentation and presentations to communicate concepts, designs, and findings
What You'll Bring
- Currently pursing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, or thermals-related field with a graduation date between May 2027 - December 2027
- Strong understanding of fundamentals of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics
- Experience in CFD and developming numerica models of thermal/fluid systems at any level
- Passionate about electro-mechanical product design, creative problem solving, and finding simple solutions to complex mechanical and thermal challenges
- Hands-on experience with mechanical or thermal testing and data analysis
- Strong teamwork, communication and presentation skills
Benefits
As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for:
- Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
- Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
- Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans. Both have an option with a $0 payroll contribution
- Company Paid (Health Savings Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Medical Plan with HSA
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
- Company Paid Basic Life, AD&D, and short-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions), and Paid Holidays
- Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
- Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
- Commuter benefits
- Employee discounts and perks program
Expected Compensation
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.
See All 204+ Robotics Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Robotics Engineer JobsRobotics Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Robotics Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Tesla25
- Apple9
- Anduril9
- Amazon9
- OpenAI8
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software24
- Science & Research21
- Manufacturing9
- Artificial Intelligence8
- Consulting & Professional Services8
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in robotics engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science
- Hands-on experience with ROS or ROS2 for motion planning and sensor integration
- Proficiency in Python and C++ for real-time control systems and simulation
- Experience with robot kinematics, dynamics, and trajectory planning in production or lab environments
- Familiarity with computer vision libraries such as OpenCV or perception frameworks like PCL
- Ability to collaborate across hardware and software teams in a fast-paced California engineering environment
Robotics Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a robotics engineer in California?
Most robotics engineer roles in California require at least a bachelor's degree in robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science, and many mid-to-senior positions prefer a master's. California does not issue a state-specific robotics engineer license, but working in certain defense or aerospace contexts may require professional engineer registration through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Building a strong portfolio of ROS-based or computer vision projects is a practical edge in the Bay Area and Los Angeles markets.
How much do robotics engineers make in California?
Robotics engineers in California earn a median of about $130,900 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $82,070 for the lowest 10% to over $203,620 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire robotics engineers in California?
Employers hiring robotics engineers in California right now include Tesla, Apple, and Anduril, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor fabs, medical device makers, and autonomous vehicle programs means demand is spread from the Bay Area down through the greater Los Angeles basin.
Which California cities have the most robotics engineer jobs?
San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Santa Clara have the most robotics engineer openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its dense cluster of autonomous systems startups, semiconductor firms, and surgical robotics companies, while Los Angeles draws on a large aerospace and defense industrial base and San Diego benefits from proximity to defense contractors and biomedical device manufacturers anchored there.
Are there remote robotics engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Robotics engineering is fundamentally hands-on work involving physical hardware, lab testing, and integration, which limits how much can be done remotely. About 23% of robotics engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to cover software-heavy functions like simulation, computer vision algorithm development, or motion planning that don't require daily access to a physical robot.
How can I get hired as a robotics engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate or associate engineer role at one of California's large aerospace or automation employers, many of which run structured new-grad programs specifically for candidates without professional experience. Companies like Northrop Grumman and Intuitive Surgical hire through campus recruiting at UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UCSD, while smaller Bay Area robotics startups often bring on junior engineers who can demonstrate ROS proficiency through a strong GitHub portfolio or senior capstone project. Adjacent roles in controls technician or mechatronics support work also provide a direct bridge into engineering tracks at California manufacturers.
Where can I find and apply to robotics engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to robotics engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across aerospace, manufacturing, autonomous systems, and medical robotics. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listing.
See All 204+ Robotics Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Robotics Engineer Jobs