Relativity Space Logo

Relativity Space

Sr. Operations Engineer

Posted 2 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Easy Apply
In-Office
Long Beach, CA
133K-171K Annually
Senior level
Easy Apply
In-Office
Long Beach, CA
133K-171K Annually
Senior level
Lead the Factory Test team by writing test plans, collaborating with design engineers, leading readiness reviews, and supporting test operations and analysis.
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 Factory Test team designs, builds, and operates the infrastructure needed to test nearly every part of Terran R right here at our headquarters in Long Beach, CA. This centralized approach provides engineers and technicians with exposure to the entire product lifecycle across a wide range of part sizes and complexities. The scope and scale are significant, with test stands capable of handling millions of pounds of force. Team members lead multiple projects in parallel, avoiding silos and gaining broad technical experience without needing a background in aerospace. With high-impact campaigns ahead, including thrust structure and stage 2 testing, now is the time to join. You won’t just execute, but you’ll help shape and scale the test infrastructure required to meet the demands of a rapidly growing launch program.

About the Role:

  • Write test plans, procedures, and work instructions for a variety of test campaigns, from primary structure qualification to fluid component acceptance tests
  • Collaborate with design engineers to address safety, operability, and maintainability concerns early in development
  • Lead Test Readiness Reviews and set the culture of the control room to ensure smooth execution
  • Develop and implement automated test procedures to improve efficiency and reliability
  • Operate and support test stands under manual and automated control, troubleshooting unexpected conditions using engineering principles
  • Support post-test analysis, retrospectives, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operations and test reliability

About You:

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or related field
  • 5+ years of experience operating complex equipment and/or planning complex operations
  • Proven ability to identify and mitigate safety concerns related to test operations
  • Demonstrated success in high-stress environments where time is of the essence
  • Strong first principles understanding of electrical and fluid systems

Nice to haves but not required:  

  • Experience with aerospace or rocket testing is helpful but not required
  • Should measure project timelines in days to weeks rather that months to years
  • Familiarity with cryogenic systems, high-pressure fluid operations, static structural testing, and/or mechanisms testing
  • Experience in operations, testing, or manufacturing, preferably in high-stakes environments

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:
$133,000$170,500 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].


Top Skills

Automated Test Procedures
Electrical Systems
Engineering Principles
Fluid Systems
Test Stands
HQ

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.

Similar Jobs at Relativity Space

3 Hours Ago
Easy Apply
In-Office
Long Beach, CA, USA
Easy Apply
97K-124K Annually
Junior
97K-124K Annually
Junior
Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
Support manufacturing processes, optimize production efficiency, analyze discrepancies, and collaborate with teams to ensure successful execution of manufacturing processes.
Top Skills: Electromechanical AssemblyGd&TMachiningMechanical FasteningPneumatic SystemsPrecision DrillingTool DesignTorquing Operations
3 Hours Ago
Easy Apply
In-Office
Long Beach, CA, USA
Easy Apply
130K-166K Annually
Mid level
130K-166K Annually
Mid level
Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
Develop and improve avionics manufacturing processes, ensure production readiness, support technicians, and collaborate on designs for manufacturability.
Top Skills: Aerospace EngineeringAs9100Avionics BoxesCad ToolsElectrical EngineeringErp SystemsIso9001Mechanical EngineeringPcbasPlm SystemsWire Harness Fabrication
3 Hours Ago
Easy Apply
In-Office
Long Beach, CA, USA
Easy Apply
35-45 Annually
Senior level
35-45 Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
The role involves developing manufacturing processes for Friction Stir Welding, leading production tasks, ensuring safety, and fostering team collaboration.
Top Skills: Cnc MachiningFriction Stir WeldingGd&TRobotics

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