---
title: 'Locomotion & Whole-Body Control Engineer (human) at Neura Robotics'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/locomotion-whole-body-control-engineer-human-neura-robotics-metzingen-tht0fm9a9qy0'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-10'
---

# Locomotion & Whole-Body Control Engineer (human) at Neura Robotics

- **Company:** [Neura Robotics](https://feeny.ai/companies/neura-robotics)
- **Location:** Metzingen, Germany / Riederich, Germany
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-05-11
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-10
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/neura-robotics-gmbh/986ebee0-ee43-4eb2-80ca-8c6c654c990e/application

**Skills:** Trajectory optimization, Model Predictive Control (MPC), Whole-body control, Floating-base articulated rigid-body dynamics, Contact modelling, Reduced-order locomotion models (LIPM, SRBD, centroidal dynamics), Optimal control, Constrained numerical optimization, Model-predictive control for legged robots, Whole-body QP / TSID frameworks, QP / DDP solver internals, C++, Python, Real-time robotics software, Humanoids, Quadrupeds, Pinocchio, MuJoCo, Crocoddyl, IPOPT

> Develop and optimize real-time control pipelines for legged robots, including trajectory optimization, model-predictive control, and whole-body motion generation. The role involves implementing control systems for physical robots operating at high frequencies, requiring strong expertise in rigid-body dynamics, MPC,...

## Job description

## Your mission & challenges

We are growing our legged-robotics capability on NEURA's humanoid quadruped platforms. This role spans both core layers of the legged control stack: trajectory optimization and MPC for kino-dynamic motion generation, and QP-based instantaneous whole-body control for executing those motions on real hardware at 1 kHz. The work is focused on contact-rich dynamics, real-time optimization, and reliable execution on physical robots. You will collaborate closely with state estimation, simulation, low-level control, and hardware stakeholders, and with the application teams whose tasks ultimately depend on robust, predictable locomotion and whole-body behaviour.

- Whole-body motion generation and control for floating-base legged platforms — locomotion, balance, contact transitions, and loco-manipulation (walking while manipulating).
- Trajectory optimization and model-predictive control pipelines over robot state, contact schedules, ground reaction forces, centroidal momentum, and joint trajectories — using reduced-order locomotion models such as LIPM, SRBD, and centroidal dynamics.
- QP-based task-space inverse dynamics for executing instantaneous whole-body control from MPC and trajectory-optimization references at 1 kHz on the real robot.
- Whole-body modelling for the platform: floating-base rigid-body dynamics from URDF / MJCF, joint configuration, FK / IK, Jacobians, and mass / Coriolis / gravity computation.
- Constraint formulation across the MPC and QP layers — contact, friction, torque, joint, kinematic, and stability constraints — with task-hierarchy design appropriate to the platform.
- Solver performance work across both layers: warm-starting, numerical conditioning, constraint handling, and real-time reliability at 500 Hz – 1 kHz.
- Deployment, tuning, and debugging of MPC, trajectory optimization, IK, and inverse dynamics pipelines on physical robots — including platform-specific contact-model calibration and validation against real robot data.
- High-performance C++ for real-time execution; Python tooling for analysis, prototyping, and debugging.

## What we can look forward to

- MSc or PhD in robotics, controls, mechanical or electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field.
- 4+ years of hands-on experience developing trajectory optimization, MPC for locomotion, and / or whole-body control on physical robots.
- Strong foundation in floating-base articulated rigid-body dynamics and contact modelling.
- Strong working knowledge of reduced-order locomotion models (LIPM, SRBD, centroidal dynamics, or equivalents) and their use inside MPC.
- Strong foundation in optimal control, constrained numerical optimization, and model-predictive control for legged robots.
- Hands-on experience with whole-body QP / TSID frameworks on real robot data — including QP / DDP solver internals.
- Hands-on experience deploying real-time control / MPC / WBC pipelines at 500 Hz – 1 kHz on hardware.
- Strong C++ for real-time robotics software; Python for analysis, tooling, prototyping, and debugging.
- Practical understanding of how contact dynamics, actuator limits, latency, state-estimation error, solver failure modes, and model mismatch behave on real hardware.
- A collaborative working style: shared design, constructive code review, proactive communication, and reliable coordination across control, estimation, simulation, low-level control, and hardware disciplines. Strong teamwork is essential for this role.

## Nice to Have

- Hands-on experience on humanoids, quadrupeds, or other high-DOF legged robots.
- Familiarity with Pinocchio, MuJoCo, Crocoddyl, IPOPT, TSID, OCS2, or similar open-source tools.
- Hierarchical QP, weighted QP, task prioritization, contact force optimization, or operational-space control.
- Contact planning, gait optimization, balance recovery; CPG-based or hybrid CPG / MPC controllers.
- Multi-contact WBC: foot contact, bimanual grasping, or base-arm coordination.
- Contact-consistent dynamics and impact-aware control transitions.
- Experience with torque-controlled robots and high-bandwidth electric actuation.
- Publications at RSS, ICRA, IROS, or CoRL in legged locomotion or whole-body control.

## About Neura Robotics

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: NEURA Robotics develops cognitive robots that see, hear, feel, and learn, designed to work alongside humans in industrial, service, and household settings.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series C — raised up to $1.4 billion as of 2025/2026)
- **Headquarters**: Metzingen, Germany (with offices in Bielefeld and Munich, and US locations in preparation)
- **Founded**: 2019
- **Founders**: David Reger

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Cognitive Robotics, Humanoid Robotics, Industrial Automation, AI
- **Target customers**: B2B (industrial clients, integrators, strategic partners); also B2C via household robots like MiPA
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "We serve humanity by creating robots that give people back their time for what matters most. Our mission is to expand human potential through cognitive robotics that work safely alongside us."

## Products & Services
- **4NE1**: Production-ready humanoid robot designed for industrial workflows and everyday assistance, powered by proprietary AI (AURA). Built for mass production.
- **MAiRA (Multi-sensing Intelligent Robotic Assistant)**: The world's first cognitive robot arm — a collaborative robot that senses, responds, and adapts.
- **LARA (Lightweight Agile Robotic Assistant)**: Collaborative industrial robot for agile, lightweight automation tasks.
- **MiPA (My Intelligent Personal Assistant)**: Humanoid service and household robot for home assistance.
- **MAV (Multisensing Autonomous Vehicle)**: Mobile transport robot for logistics and material handling.
- **NEURA OmniSensor**: Proprietary sensor technology enabling robots to perceive their environment.
- **Neuraverse**: A global platform connecting robots, developers, and partners into a shared intelligence network where every deployment makes each robot smarter. Also serves as a marketplace for robotics applications.
- **NEURA Gyms**: Real-world training facilities where robots learn complex tasks in controlled environments to generate high-quality data for AI model validation.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private company)
- **Key Metric**: Total investment >€100 million in 2023; Series C up to $1.4 billion (2025/2026); 2024 revenue in mid-double-digit million euros; 2025 target: triple-digit million euros
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Lingotto Investment Management, BlueCrest Capital Management, InterAlpen Partners, Vsquared Ventures, HV Capital, Delta Electronics, C4 Ventures, Primepulse, L-Bank, Volvo Cars Tech Fund. Strategic partners include Qualcomm, Bosch, Schaeffler, NVIDIA, and AWS.
- **Growth Signals**: Over 1,400 employees from more than 45 countries (up from 300+ in 2024). Four of the world's ten largest robotics companies use NEURA's technology under their own brand. Deployed across Europe, US, China, and Japan. Europe's first production-ready humanoid robot (4NE1) launched.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Full vertical integration**: Develops all software, hardware, and platform technologies in-house, giving full control over performance, safety, and reliability.
- **Cognitive robotics pioneer**: Coined the term "cognitive robotics" — robots that perceive, learn, and adapt in real-time, unlike traditional industrial robots.
- **Neuraverse platform**: World's first platform connecting cognitive robots into a shared intelligence network, creating a data moat as every deployment improves all robots.
- **White-label partnerships**: Four of the top 10 global robotics companies OEM NEURA's technology, creating deep industry lock-in.
- **Diverse product range**: From collaborative robot arms (MAiRA, LARA) to humanoids (4NE1, MiPA) and autonomous vehicles (MAV), covering industrial, service, and household use cases.

## Strategic Focus
- **Scaling production**: Rapidly scaling robot production to meet growing demand, with Europe's first production-ready humanoid robot.
- **Expanding the Neuraverse**: Building the world's largest repository of real-world robotics data through shared learning across all deployed robots.
- **Global expansion**: Establishing US operations and strengthening presence in Japan and China.
- **B2B platform strategy**: Moving beyond hardware to become a platform company via the Neuraverse marketplace and NEURA Gyms.
- **Partnership ecosystem**: Deepening relationships with strategic partners like Bosch, Schaeffler, Qualcomm, NVIDIA, and AWS.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: "Passion for Winning" — achievement-driven, self-responsible culture with flat hierarchies. Values include trust, honesty, speed, and "We Are Human" (people at the heart of everything).
- **Flexibility**: Flexible working hours, 30 days of vacation, and a hybrid-friendly environment.
- **Team**: Over 1,400 employees from more than 45 countries — highly skilled, international team of experts.
- **Growth & Development**: Support for personal and professional growth via Udemy training platform and more.
- **Compensation**: Competitive salary package with exclusive employee discounts.
- **Perks**: Summer parties, company town hall meetings, and regular team celebrations.
- **Impact**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge cognitive robotics and AI that directly addresses labor shortages and makes a meaningful societal impact.
- **Diversity**: Explicitly welcomes applications from all backgrounds, emphasizing building a team that reflects the world.
- **Application Process**: Fast — initial feedback within a few days, interviews scheduled within two weeks.

## Sources
1. [neura-robotics.com](https://neura-robotics.com/)
2. [press.neura-robotics.com](https://press.neura-robotics.com/factsheet-neura-robotics-en/)
3. [neura-robotics.com/company-about-us](https://neura-robotics.com/company-about-us/)
4. [jobs.neura-robotics.com](https://jobs.neura-robotics.com/)
5. [neura-robotics.com/press](https://neura-robotics.com/press/)

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- [Network & Systems Administrator – RoboGym (Human)](https://feeny.ai/job/network-systems-administrator-robogym-human-neura-robotics-stuttgart-t8xaq61a1d1g) — Stuttgart, Germany
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- [Customer Project Manager (mensch)](https://feeny.ai/job/customer-project-manager-mensch-neura-robotics-munich-wvgm5ry2c9xf) — Munich, Germany
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