Relativity Space Logo

Relativity Space

Engine Systems & Test Team- Staff Engine Systems Development Engineer

Reposted 2 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Easy Apply
Hybrid
Long Beach, CA
176K-226K Annually
Senior level
Easy Apply
Hybrid
Long Beach, CA
176K-226K Annually
Senior level
Responsible for engine system trades, managing interfaces, and supporting development. Requires collaboration, problem-solving, and technical expertise in complex engineering systems.
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 responsible for the successful development of the engines that will power the Terran R vehicle. We own their design from concept through to launch and reuse. Our team partners heavily with manufacturing, test, launch, and integration teams, striving to develop our engines in record time and to support Terran R's first launch in 2026. As part of this team, you will help build, test, and iterate on the full product lifecycle of our Aeon-R engine systems, seeing them mature and eventually bring Terran R into space.

About the Role: 

This role may span several areas of our team depending on your skillset and the team’s needs at the time. The core responsibilities are driving engine system (architecture + CONOPS) trades, managing engine interfaces & negotiating requirements to optimize for the vehicle, and supporting engine system development overall. You may additionally support engine system analysis and simulation, engine testing, tool development, and more. In engineering at the system level, you will be expected not just to coordinate & facilitate amongst other technical teams, but to bring your own deep technical acumen to bear on problems in this highly technical role.

In order to be successful in this role, you should be capable of leading collaborative projects to completion with minimal oversight. You should also be a self-starter who is always looking for ways to improve yourself & learn more about the systems that interface with yours. Along with these high expectations comes the opportunity to have a significant influence on a fast-growing startup company and to make rapid professional gains in an environment that encourages growth and risk.

This role requires an average of 15% travel to our test & launch sites and may occasionally require shifted schedules or weekend work for critical milestones.

About you: 

  • Experience applying engineering fundamentals in fluid mechanics & thermodynamics
  • Clear evidence of ownership, problem-solving skills, and effective team collaboration from school or work experience
  • Demonstrated drive to deliver on ambitious schedules, even and especially if unconventional & creative solutions are necessary to do so
  • Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, technology, or mathematics field
  • Working knowledge of liquid-propellant rocket engines
  • 8+ years of relevant experience, preferably in complex engineering system development and/or test environment 

Nice to haves, but not required:

  • Working knowledge of fluid components such as valves and instrumentation
  • Working knowledge of engine subsystems such as combustion devices and turbomachinery

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:
$176,000$225,500 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.

Top Skills

Combustion Devices
Fluid Mechanics
Liquid-Propellant Rocket Engines
Thermodynamics
Turbomachinery
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

11 Hours Ago
Easy Apply
Hybrid
Long Beach, CA, USA
Easy Apply
28-37 Annually
Junior
28-37 Annually
Junior
3D Printing • Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
As a Propulsion Technician, you will assemble and test engine components and subassemblies, supporting in-house processes such as cleaning, assembly, and testing.
Top Skills: Clean Line DetergentsPpeSolventsUltrasonic Tanks
11 Hours Ago
Easy Apply
Hybrid
Long Beach, CA, USA
Easy Apply
28-37 Annually
Junior
28-37 Annually
Junior
3D Printing • Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
As a Propulsion Technician II, you'll assemble and test Aeon-R engines, support various in-house processes, and collaborate with engineers.
Top Skills: Clean Line DetergentsEngineering DrawingsOsha RequirementsSolventsUltrasonic Tanks
16 Hours Ago
Easy Apply
Hybrid
Long Beach, CA, USA
Easy Apply
38-49 Annually
Senior level
38-49 Annually
Senior level
3D Printing • Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
Resolve production issues, improve ERP/MES processes, lead technical initiatives, mentor team members, and ensure accurate material planning.
Top Skills: Additive ManufacturingErpMesWms

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