Company Overview:

Relativity is the first and only company to automate aerospace manufacturing by integrating intelligent robotics, software, and proprietary metal 3D printing technology. Disrupting 60 years of aerospace, Relativity offers a radically simplified supply chain, building a rocket with 100x fewer parts in less than 60 days. Our long-term goal is to upgrade humanity’s industrial base on Earth and on Mars.  

Team:

The Vehicle Engineering department is responsible for ensuring that Relativity’s rockets will achieve our objectives. Our department comprises teams responsible for Flight Sciences, including Aerodynamics, Thermal Science, Loads, and Dynamics; Vehicle Simulation & Performance; Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC); and Systems Engineering. Our teams architect and execute analysis, simulation, and test projects for all of Relativity’s hardware and software teams in pursuit of mission success.

What you’ll do:

As Principal Integrated Performance Engineer, you will drive the technical direction of Relativity’s products across the domains of GNC, Flight Sciences, and Performance. You will play a key role in shaping Relativity’s vehicle products and advanced technical analyses, including the Terran R launch system and supporting simulation tools and methods. In short, you’ll work on our hardest problems with our best people, leveraging a high degree of technical authority.

You will collaborate with our propulsion, avionics, flight software, and program management teams to deliver diverse Integrated Performance projects on time, while meeting our technical requirements. A high degree of autonomy along with an ability to prioritize work in our fast-paced environment is required. Additionally, you will help build an outstanding vehicle engineering organization at the cutting edge of commercial aerospace.

Here are some examples of projects you could be working on:

• Develop and execute technical analyses and tests to solve novel challenges in vehicle architecture, flight sciences, and GNC
• Lead complex technical trades around vehicle performance and architecture with support from hardware, software, operations, and analysis teams. For example, perform necessary trades and analysis for aero, thermal, TPS, and GNC to optimize vehicle designs for ascent, re-entry, and re-use
• Serve as company technical authority for Integrated Performance, helping leadership to define and execute the department’s technical roadmaps
• Direct and mentor other team members, consultants, and contractors in supporting analysis and modeling activities

In order to be successful in this role, you should be self-motivated, adaptable and able to contribute significantly to a fast-paced, integrated vehicle program. You should also be able to resolve ambiguity and drive projects to completion. Ideally, you have significant aerodynamics, GNC, and simulation experience as well as a proven track record completing projects successfully in a highly collaborative environment.

On a weekly basis, you will be performing analysis, driving technical projects with other engineering teams and company leadership, and supporting product and sales. You will also use your strong organizational skills to properly manage the documentation and communication of your actions, recommendations, and decisions.

What you need to know:

• A graduate degree in engineering or related field and 15+ years relevant experience
• Industry-leading expertise in vehicle GNC, aerodynamics, and aerothermodynamics
• Experience in a lead technical role from concept through flight on at least one entry vehicle program, including ownership of entry concepts of operations (conops)
• Experience solving complex problems on integrated vehicles
• Proficiency in Python, C++, and industry-standard CFD and thermal/fluids analysis tools like FUN3D, Sinda/Fluint, Star-CCM+, and DPLR
• Experience structuring, negotiating, executing, and delivering complex analyses and simulations for software, hardware, and certification customers

Nice to haves but not required:

• 20+ years relevant experience across 3 or more program lifecycles
• Experience in diverse technical leadership roles, e.g. Aero and GNC
• Experience managing and developing simulation toolsets and workflows

Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous vacation policy, an annual L&D stipend and more! 

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.