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 Materials and NDE (Non-Destructive Evaluation) team plays a central role in enabling Terran R to fly, re-fly, and scale: developing, characterizing, and inspecting materials and processes across all parts of the vehicle. From welding and additive manufacturing to advanced composites, the team works at the intersection of innovation and execution, balancing performance and reliability with cost, quality, and schedule. As we move toward first flight and beyond, the challenges become more exciting, offering opportunities to shape how we design and develop for re-use. With ownership across products, systems, and disciplines, engineers gain broad exposure and drive key decisions across design, manufacturing, and operations.
About the Role:
- Will be responsible for performing laser welding operations for Terran-R development and flight hardware as part of Weld Development team including:
- Executing laser welds on flight and development hardware in accordance with AWS D17.1 requirements
- Aiding in weld parameter and schedule development via subscale welding
- Supporting on-boarding of new laser weld equipment, tooling, and processes
- Accurately using precision measuring tools such as micrometers, calipers, and torque wrenches
- Weld prep/clean-up using hand tools to prepare metallic surfaces for welding and non-destructive evaluation
- Perform robotic programming tool path and point touch ups. (Kuka and Fanuc Cobot experience is a plus)
- Perform system maintenance, setup and configuration of laser system optics.
- Work directly with Weld Engineers to develop/improve laser welding processes and execute production laser welding for Terran-R
- Identify and resolve issues in the manufacturing process related to laser welding including equipment troubleshooting, addressing weld defects, improving setup/tooling, etc.
- Follow all laser weld safety requirements and ensure operations are completed in accordance to Relativity Space standards
- Foster and inclusive environment for all members of the team
About You:
- 6+ years of hands-on experience with laser welding (hand-held, semi-auto or automated systems) – preferably in Aerospace/Space or related fields
- Capable of developing laser weld parameters for common aerospace materials to meet AWS D17.1 or equivalent
- Familiar with laser welding equipment, safety requirements and personal protective equipment
- Proficient using Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) to interpret blueprints and perform inspections at all assembly levels
- Ability to lift 25 lbs and work in confined spaces (training will be provided and reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities)
Nice to haves but not required:
- Strong knowledge of industry welding standards/specifications and Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) requirements
- Strong work ethic and communication skills
- Ability to adapt in fast paced environment
- Work well independently and take initiative with minimal supervision
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.
If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at [email protected].
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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