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Kinematics Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Intuitive

Sr Software Engineer Navigation

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

Working at the intersection of embedded UI, computer vision, and robotic kinematics, you will design and optimize the C++ runtime systems that connect live sensor and robot data to CV/ML inference.

Intuitive

Sr Software Engineer Navigation

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

Working at the intersection of embedded UI, computer vision, and robotic kinematics, you will design and optimize the C++ runtime systems that connect live sensor and robot data to CV/ML inference.

Divergent

Senior Software Engineer, Robotics

Torrance, CA

$127K - $168K/yr

This involves symbolic task planning, robot kinematics, collision detection, optimization, and computer vision. The Role * Develop and maintain software development best practices to ensure high ...

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Kinematics information

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$34

$51

$67

How much do kinematics jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for kinematics in California is $51.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39.86 and $59.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a kinematics?

A kinematics job typically involves studying and analyzing motion without considering the forces that cause it. Professionals in this field work in robotics, biomechanics, mechanical engineering, and animation, applying mathematical models to describe movement. They may develop simulations, design mechanical systems, or optimize motion in robotics and human movement analysis. Kinematics experts often use software tools like MATLAB, Python, or CAD programs to model and analyze motion efficiently.

What does a kinematics do?

As a Kinematics Engineer, your days often involve analyzing and designing motion systems, conducting simulations and prototyping, and collaborating with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers. You may interpret test data, optimize mechanical designs for efficiency and accuracy, and participate in design reviews or brainstorming sessions. Teamwork is critical since your insights drive both conceptual development and troubleshooting during project cycles. You can also expect to prepare technical documentation, present findings to stakeholders, and stay updated on advancements in motion analysis technologies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the kinematics position?

To thrive in a Kinematics Engineer role, you need a strong background in mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, and motion analysis, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with simulation software like MATLAB, SolidWorks Motion, or ANSYS, as well as proficiency in data analysis tools, is highly beneficial. Excellent problem-solving, attention to detail, and collaboration skills help distinguish successful candidates in multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure precise analysis, efficient design solutions, and effective communication with stakeholders throughout robotics, automotive, or biomechanics projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Kinematics jobs in California?

The most popular types of Kinematics jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Kinematics jobs in California?

For Kinematics jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Kinematics jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Kinematics jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Kinematics jobs?

Cities in California with the most Kinematics job openings:

Kinematics jobs near you
Infographic showing various Kinematics job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 78% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,423 per year, or $51.2 per hour.

Robotics Kinematics Engineer II

Relativity Space

Long Beach, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Relativity Space rating

9.7

Company rating: 9.7 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

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 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.

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 with 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.

  • 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 but not required:  

  • 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.

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