Terran R rocket render
Relativity Space Logo

Relativity Space

Propulsion Structural Engineer, Combustion Devices

Posted 3 Hours Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Easy Apply
In-Office
Long Beach, CA, USA
90K-136K Annually
Junior
Easy Apply
In-Office
Long Beach, CA, USA
90K-136K Annually
Junior
Design and qualify Aeon-R combustion device hardware from concept through flight. Perform hand calculations and FEM (static, thermal, fatigue, damage tolerance), high-fidelity modeling, test data analysis, model anchoring, and risk assessment. Interface with hardware designers and define test objectives to validate models and verify hardware performance.
The summary above was generated by AI

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 Propulsion team at Relativity is focused on developing and delivering highly performant and manufacturable engines for Terran R. Engineers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of their parts, from initial design through production to qualification and flight. The team fosters a culture of bottoms-up decision-making, free from technical gatekeeping, where ownership and accountability are key at all levels. But designing engines with a quarter million pounds of thrust is just the beginning. As the flight configuration enters qualification, the team is now exploring modifications for future engines, including thrust upgrades, new cycles, and design for mass production.

About the role: 

  • Support the design and qualification of Aeon-R combustion devices hardware throughout the entire development cycle, from initial concept through detailed design, testing, and flight, including high-fidelity modeling, test data analysis, model anchoring, and risk assessment
  • Performing hand calculations and FEM analysis to achieve structural closure, including but not limited to static structural, thermal, fatigue, and damage tolerance analyses
  • Interface with hardware designers to influence design decisions to ensure hardware meets performance and safety requirements
  • Define test objectives that validate analytical models and verify hardware performance

About you:  

  • Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering field
  • 1 or more years relevant experience in structural analysis or structural modeling
  • Experience applying engineering first principles in structural mechanics including but not limited to beam bending, pressure vessels, buckling, etc.
  • Experience applying engineering first principles in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics
  • Familiarity with structural analysis packages (ANSYS, FEMAP, NASTRAN, ABAQUAS, etc.) 

Nice to haves, but not required:  

  • Experience with ANSYS Mechanical -Graduate degree engineering or science
  • Relevant experience in rocket engine development and/or test environment
  • Working knowledge of engine subsystems, such as combustion devices

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.

Hiring Range:
$90,000$136,000 USD

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.

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at [email protected].


HQ

Relativity Space Long Beach, California, USA Office

Relativity Space The Wormhole Office

Home to Terran R production, cutting-edge manufacturing, and advanced testing infrastructure, our headquarters in the Los Angeles metro area is shaping the future of aerospace. Designed for scalability, this facility is designed to support high-rate production and can adapt to customer demand.

Similar Jobs at Relativity Space

15 Hours Ago
Easy Apply
In-Office
Long Beach, CA, USA
Easy Apply
118K-178K Annually
Mid level
118K-178K Annually
Mid level
Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
Lead and mentor a team of mechanisms technicians building electromechanical assemblies for Terran R. Manage daily execution of subassemblies, component testing, process standards, tooling, and 6S compliance. Prioritize work to meet schedules, communicate progress and blockers, and support hiring, onboarding, and performance management.
Top Skills: MS OfficeSmartsheets
21 Hours Ago
Easy Apply
In-Office
Long Beach, CA, USA
Easy Apply
118K-178K Annually
Junior
118K-178K Annually
Junior
Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
Lead second-shift manufacturing team (up to 25), schedule and prioritize work, enforce safety and quality, provide technical escalation and root cause resolution, manage performance and career development, oversee equipment/tooling and 6S compliance, and communicate progress to leadership.
Top Skills: LnMS OfficePower BISmartsheets
21 Hours Ago
Easy Apply
In-Office
Long Beach, CA, USA
Easy Apply
108K-162K Annually
Senior level
108K-162K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
Serve as a Workday SME across Core HCM, Security, Payroll, Time Tracking, and Absence. Provide production support, gather requirements, design and implement Workday solutions, map and document configurations, and keep the organization current with Workday updates.
Top Skills: EarningsExcelWorkday Absence ManagementWorkday Core HcmWorkday PayrollWorkday ReportingWorkday SecurityWorkday StudioWorkday Time Tracking

What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene

Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.

Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
  • Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
  • Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
  • Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account