Systems & Integration Engineer Jobs

You ensure all the pieces of a robotic system work together reliably. This means integrating sensors with perception software, connecting planning algorithms to motion controllers, validating that safety systems function correctly, and debugging why components that work individually fail when combined.

Projects range from integrating a single robot cell to deploying complete production lines or autonomous systems. You'll write integration code, build test harnesses to validate behavior, coordinate with mechanical and electrical teams, work with vendors to resolve interface issues, and often travel to deployment sites for commissioning.

The role sits between pure development and deployment. You're not typically designing novel algorithms or building custom hardware. Instead, you're taking components that others built and making them function as a coherent system. Success requires understanding multiple disciplines well enough to identify where problems originate and how to fix them.

Travel varies by employer and industry. Automotive and industrial positions often require 25-50% travel for commissioning at manufacturing plants. System integrator roles might involve 40-60% travel to diverse client sites. Robotics software companies building products might have minimal travel except for customer deployments.

Autonomous vehicle and aerospace positions typically involve less travel since integration happens at company facilities, though occasional trips to test sites or customer locations occur. The travel is generally less intense than field service engineering but more than pure software development roles.

Job descriptions usually specify expected travel. Integration engineers who enjoy occasional travel but want more predictable schedules often prefer direct employment at manufacturers over system integrator positions.

Strong programming ability in Python is essential for writing integration code, test scripts, and automation tools. Many positions also require C++ for performance-critical components or embedded systems integration. Simulation expertise matters significantly since validating system behavior in simulation before hardware deployment saves time and money.

Beyond programming, you need enough breadth to understand mechanical systems, electrical interfaces, communication protocols, and software architecture. You don't need to be an expert in each domain, but you must understand them well enough to debug integration issues and communicate with specialists.

Project coordination skills become increasingly important as you advance. You'll manage schedules, coordinate across teams, track integration milestones, and communicate status to stakeholders. Most employers want bachelor's degrees in robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science. Hands-on experience with actual robotic systems matters more than perfect credentials.

Based on 143 job postings, median salaries are $150,950 annually. Engineers with several years of experience integrating robotic systems typically earn around $116,200. Senior integration engineers leading complex projects and making architectural decisions earn $185,650 or more, with top compensation reaching $348,750.

Salary varies by industry. Autonomous vehicle companies and large tech firms typically pay at the higher end. Industrial integrators and automotive suppliers often pay less in base salary but may offer overtime and project bonuses. Aerospace and defense contractors fall somewhere in the middle with strong benefits.

Total compensation at public companies can exceed stated salaries when equity is included. Geographic location matters significantly, with Bay Area and Seattle positions paying 25-35% more than similar roles in other regions.

System integrators employ a significant portion, building custom automation solutions for manufacturing clients. Automotive manufacturers like General Motors hire integration engineers to deploy and maintain production systems. Autonomous vehicle developers need integration engineers to ensure perception, planning, and control work together.

Aerospace and defense contractors integrate complex systems combining sensors, autonomy, and mission equipment. Robotics companies shipping products need integration engineers to ensure everything works before customer delivery. Industrial manufacturers increasingly hire integration engineers directly rather than relying solely on external integrators.

243 active positions show demand across all these sectors. The skills transfer reasonably well between industries since the core challenge of making disparate components work together remains similar whether you're integrating a warehouse robot or an autonomous aircraft.