Relativity Space

Senior Robotics Kinematics Engineer

Long Beach, California · Senior

Sponsorship not specified$146k-$218kDetected 4 days ago

C++AlgorithmsLinuxAvionicsSystems EngineeringRoboticsControls

About the role

Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for robot kinematics, motion modeling, and multi-axis synchronization.
PhD in Robotics, Control Systems, or a related technical field.

Our Terran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launch capacity.
Here, you're not just executing tasks; you're solving problems that haven't been solved before, helping develop a rocket, a factory, and a business from the ground up.
Whether you're in propulsion, manufacturing, software, avionics, or a corporate function, you'll collaborate across teams, shape decisions, and see your work come to life in record time.
This role is ideal for a software engineer who thrives in cross-functional environments, enjoys owning full projects from design to deployment, and is comfortable navigating ambiguity in a fast-moving R&D setting.
Develop advanced kinematics algorithms for robotic systems (6+ DoF), including forward/inverse kinematics and redundancy resolution, optimized for real-time performance.
Own and maintain the kinematics library shared across multiple robotics software products.
Experience developing software for real-time robotic systems.

MS preferred in Robotics Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
5+ years of experience developing kinematics algorithms for both underactuated and redundant robotic systems.
Strong expertise in robot kinematic modeling and calibration methodologies using industrial metrology and localization hardware (Leica, OptiTrack, etc)
High proficiency in C++, Linux, and modern software engineering practices
Experience with ROS and open-source robotics libraries.

Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more!
$146,000 - $218,000 USD

Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more!
Now is a unique moment in time where it's early enough to leave your mark on the product, the process, and the culture, but far enough along that Terran R is tangible and picking up momentum.
is only one part of our total rewards package.
To see some of the benefits & perks we offer, please visit here.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Relativity Space pioneered large-scale additive manufacturing with our Terran 1 rocket, the largest 3D-printed object to fly.
Now a distinct business unit within Relativity, Horizon Manufacturing Technologies is advancing next-generation manufacturing for aerospace and beyond.
The team operates at the frontier of manufacturing innovation, where creativity meets capability.
This is an environment where cutting-edge R&D is put into production, industrializing advanced manufacturing capabilities to solve customer problems.
As member of the Horizon's Robotics Team, you'll work alongside welders, data scientists, and material scientists, creating an end-to-end additive manufacturing platform that serves a wide variety of applications.
From exploring new materials to unlocking faster print speeds, to designing complex, organic geometries that can't be built any other way, it's high-impact work that sets the foundation for the future of advanced manufacturing.
At Relativity Space, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.
At Relativity Space, we're building rockets to serve today's needs and tomorrow's breakthroughs.
Joining Relativity means becoming part of something where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level.

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at accommodations@relativityspace.com.

This listing is sourced directly from Relativity Space's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.