About
Ilya Kelner is CTO and cofounder at Red Barn Robotics. He previously led flight software development at Relativity Space, where he designed fault-tolerant flight computer architecture and deployment systems, and held engineering roles at SpaceX (Starlink), Nvidia (autonomous vehicles), and Microsoft (Xbox).
Founder at Red Barn RoboticsYC W25
Intro paths
YC
Ilya went through Y Combinator (Winter 2025) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.
GP
Their group partner at YC was Brad Flora, Backing expeditions into the future — the partner who ran Red Barn Robotics's batch and knows the company first-hand. YC profile ↗
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In turn, Ilya can intro founders to Red Barn Robotics's investors below.
Red Barn Robotics's investors · 3
Co-founders at Red Barn Robotics
AI
Adam IsemanFounder
AN
Alex NeffFounder
Experience
- Red Barn RoboticsChief Technology Officercurrent2024 — present
- Relativity SpaceStaff Flight Software Engineer2022 — 2024Seattle, Washington, United States
- NVIDIASenior Software Engineer2020 — 2022Seattle, Washington, United States
- Maka Autonomous Robotic SystemsSenior Software Engineer2020
- SpaceXSoftware Engineer2015 — 2020
- Mark OneDirector of Firmware and Algorithms2014 — 2015
- MicrosoftSoftware and Algorithms Engineer2012 — 2014Redmond
- MicrosoftIncubation Engineer2011 — 2012
- Carnegie Mellon UniversityResearch Assistant2007 — 2011
Skills & more
Software Engineering5Machine Learning1Digital Signal Processing2Low Level ProgrammingBig DataComputational Mathematics1Physics3Computer Science5Algorithms8Programming1Software DevelopmentDistributed Systems1
+12 more
HardwareDebuggingApplication Security ArchitectureSoftware DesignSecure CodingMatlabJavaC/C++Assembly LanguageCPythonEmbedded SystemsLanguages English · Russian
- Developing Secure Software — LinkedIn
From Ilya's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Ilya Kelner?
- Ilya Kelner is CTO and cofounder at Red Barn Robotics. He previously led flight software development at Relativity Space, where he designed fault-tolerant flight computer architecture and deployment systems, and held engineering roles at SpaceX (Starlink), Nvidia (autonomous vehicles), and Microsoft (Xbox).
- Where does Ilya Kelner work?
- Ilya Kelner is Founder of Red Barn Robotics.
- What companies did Ilya Kelner found?
- Ilya Kelner founded Red Barn Robotics.
- Where did Ilya Kelner go to school?
- Ilya Kelner studied at Carnegie Mellon University (Bachelor's Degree, Electrical and Computer Engineering).
Founder mafias
Y Combinator mafia8,773
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Sam AltmanPresidentFounded Tools for Humanity +3Jessica LivingstonCo-founderFounded Y CombinatorAlexis OhanianYC Summer 2005Founded RedditFred EhrsamYC Summer 2012Founded Nudge +1Matt HuangYC Winter 2011Founded HotspotsTrae StephensYC Winter 2022Founded Pursuit +1
+ 8,766 more
Carnegie Mellon University mafia231
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Kai-Fu LeeResearch Computer Scientist / Assistant ProfessorFounded 01Lucy GuoComputer ScienceFounded Passes +1Joshua XuMaster's degreeFounded HeyGenWilliam GuttmanDistinguished Service Professor of Economics & Special Advisor to ProvostFounded CurvePoint +3Dr. Manu KumarBSFounded K9 Ventures +2Rodney BrooksResearch ScientistFounded Rethink Robotics +2
+ 224 more
NVIDIA mafia81
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Jonathan RossChief Software ArchitectFounded GroqSaurabh SrivastavaNemotron, Advanced Deep Learning ResearchFounded Warpdrive by Synthetic Minds +1Lee LiuWeb Software EngineerFounded Mezmo +1Musawir ShahSr. Software Engineer - TegraFounded Jerry +1Alex SismanisAndroid Developer InternFounded L1 Advisors +1Bhairav MehtaDeep Learning and Robotics ResearchFounded CharacterQuilt +1
+ 74 more
Relativity Space mafia8
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Kingsley AdvaniInvestorFounded AllocationsScott HartleyInvestorFounded StreamNativeAlexander KwanDirector Of Finance And StrategyFounded TAIBen SchleunigerLead Propulsion Components EngineerFounded Orbital OperationsRoss DohertySr. Turbomachinery Manufacturing EngineerFounded Orbital OperationsPaul ShinMechanical EngineeringFounded F4 Industries
+ 1 more
Same school
Also attended Carnegie Mellon University410
Kai-Fu LeeChairman of Sinovation Ventures and CEO of 01.AILucy GuoCo-founder of Scale AI; founder & CEO of PassesJoshua XuCo-founder & CEO of HeyGenJavier SolteroSenior Venture Partner at Felicis VenturesAvi BharadwajInvestment Director at Intel CapitalOren EtzioniVenture Partner at Madrona Venture Group
+ 404 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Red Barn Robotics2
Also worked at Relativity Space22
Jordan NooneGeneral Partner at Embedded VenturesNancy XiaoInvestor at HeadlineJory BellGeneral Partner at Playground GlobalJerry OrzechPRINCIPAL, INVESTMENT TEAM at Crosscut VenturesRyan McCalleyManaging Partner and Founder at SQN Venture Partners, LLCWilliam AbecassisManaging Partner and CIO at Braven
+ 16 more
Also worked at Maka Autonomous Robotic Systems6
Also worked at SpaceX148
Roelof BothaAdvisor & former Steward at Sequoia Capital; SpaceX board memberSteve JurvetsonCo-founder of Future VenturesAsanka JayasuriyaPortfolio Support at 8VCJustin RoseInvestment Team at 8VCGarry HillInvestment at Makers FundHelen LiangFounder & General Partner at FoundersX Ventures
+ 142 more