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:
The Thermal Protection Systems Manufacturing team is responsible for working alongside the vehicle design and test teams to develop hardware that can survive all phases of flight including ascent, re-entry, landing, and reusability. The team is looking for a Manufacturing Engineer to own the following scope: advocate for scalable manufacturing in product design trades and reviews, build flow planning, large-scale part logistics, identifying tooling needs and guiding tooling designs, conceptualizing & sourcing, fast-paced issue dispositions, and assembly work planning and execution.
About the Role:
- Own the manufacture of Thermal Protection System assemblies from design release through successful installation onto the Terran R launch vehicle—lay out the build flow and work center to ensure an efficient, high-quality process capable of scaling production rate with time
- Drive several first build efforts through design integration, assembly sequencing, mBOM development, build work order creation, and specification authoring
- Establish the assembly’s inaugural work cell by considering assembly operations, tooling and capital equipment requirements, and rate targets
- Support the shop floor and production personnel through responsive issue resolution and provide upstream feedback as we innovate the next generation of manufacturing technology
- Monitor large scale part movements and ensure safety through clear and concise direction
- Develop strong working relationships with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and external partners to ensure all company objectives can be met
About You:
- Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical, mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline with 1-2 years progressive and related work experience
- 3D & 2D design/drafting working experience per ASME Y14.5M (NX preferred)
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interface with engineering and manufacturing groups to understand process constraints and provide design inputs for improved manufacturability
- Working experience with at least 2 of the following processes: adhesive bonding, soft goods manufacturing, machining, mechanical fastening and torquing operations, trim and drill operations, composites manufacturing, critical lifting, tool design and fabrication, work center development
- Ability to perform trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals
- Highly self-motivated and able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
Nice to haves but not required:
- New product introduction of an aerospace hardware product or process with proven success
- Experience in managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
- Working knowledge of typical manufacturing execution systems and quality management systems
At Relativity Space, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.
Compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more! To see some of the benefits & perks we offer, please visit here.
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.
Top Skills
Relativity Space Long Beach, California, USA Office
We have two sites in Long Beach, CA's Space Beach: "The Wormhole," a 1M sq. ft. factory, once Boeing C-17's home. Nearby, "The Portal" supports Aeon R engine production for our Terran R launch vehicle.
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