Robotics Kinematics Engineer II Long Beach, California

Linuxconfig; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Relativity Space is seeking a Robotics Kinematics Engineer to join the Horizon Robotics Team. You will develop and own a crucial backbone for our software infrastructure related to kinematics and calibration, collaborating across teams in a fast‑moving R&D environment.

The role requires a BS, 3+ years in robotics, strong C++/Linux, experience with ROS and industrial metrology hardware (Leica, OptiTrack), and a track record of modular software architecture for diverse robot configurations.

Qualifications

• BS required; MS preferred in Robotics Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, CS, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience developing kinematics algorithms for both underactuated and redundant robotic systems.
• Strong expertise in robot kinematic modeling and calibration using industrial metrology/hardware (Leica, OptiTrack).
• High proficiency in C++, Linux, and modern software engineering; Python experience.
• Experience designing modular, extensible software architectures; ROS and open-source libraries.

Responsibilities

• Develop advanced kinematics algorithms for robotic systems (6+ DoF) for real-time performance.
• Own and maintain the kinematics library shared across robotics software products.
• Develop and maintain calibration tools and methodologies for robot calibration workflows.
• Serve as SME for robot kinematics, motion modeling, and multi-axis synchronization.

Skills

C++

Linux

Python

ROS

Kinematics

Calibration

Software architecture

Education

BS in Robotics/Control/CS

MS preferred

Tools

Leica

OptiTrack

Job description

At Relativity Space, we’re building rockets to serve today’s needs and tomorrow’s breakthroughs. Our Terran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launch capacity. But that’s just the start. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock new opportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress that reaches beyond the known.

Joining Relativity means becoming part of something where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. 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. Relativity is a place where creativity and technical rigor go hand in hand, and your voice will help define the stories we’re writing together. 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. The most meaningful work of your career is waiting. Join us.

About the Team

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 a member of 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.

About the Role

We are seeking a Robotics Kinematics Engineer to join the Robotics team at Horizon with broad technical skills and a good balance between theoretical and hands‑on mindset to develop and own a crucial backbone for our software infrastructure related to kinematics and calibration. 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Develop and maintain calibration tools and methodologies supporting a wide range of robot calibration workflows.
• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for robot kinematics, motion modeling, and multi‑axis synchronization.

About You

• BS required; MS preferred in Robotics Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 3+ 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; comfortable developing in Python.
• Experience designing modular, extensible software architectures that support diverse robot kinematics and configurations. Experience with ROS and open‑source robotics libraries.

Nice to haves

• Experience with multi‑robot coordination and synchronization.
• Experience with mobile manipulators.
• Experience developing software for real‑time robotic systems.
• PhD in Robotics, Control Systems, or a related technical field.

Compensation

$124,000 – $186,000 USD. In addition, we offer competitive salary and equity, generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more.

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal‑opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.