Lead Avionics Test Engineer

Relativity Space•Long Beach, CA

1d•$151,000 - $227,000

About The Position

Relativity Space is hiring a Lead Avionics Test Engineer to lead part of the Avionics Test team. The role manages test engineers responsible for designing, developing, and implementing fully automated test systems that support production of Terran R electronics. The engineer will work with cross-functional hardware and software design teams to create manufacturing test assets for acceptance and qualification testing. The role calls for deep technical expertise in electronics testing, along with coaching engineers in technical and non-technical best practices and fostering collaboration and high performance. The Avionics team handles the full lifecycle of Terran R’s electrical systems hardware, including design, manufacturing, testing, installation, and operation. It combines avionics design, manufacturing, and test, and works closely with propulsion, GNC, fluids, and stage engineering teams. The role offers ownership in shaping avionics architecture and components intended to fly. The listed hiring range is $151,000–$227,000 USD. Compensation depends on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors. Relativity Space also offers competitive salary and equity, PTO and sick leave, parental leave, and an annual learning and development stipend.

Requirements

Undergraduate or graduate degree (BS/MS/PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
5+ years of experience in electronics hardware development, integration, automation, and/or test.
Experience providing technical leadership, mentoring engineers, and establishing engineering best practices and standards.
Experience owning complex automated test system design for low-voltage electronics, including embedded controllers, flight computers, communication systems, navigation systems, and/or mixed-signal electronics.
Experience in strategic planning, design, development, debugging, deployment, and sustaining test systems in development and production environments.
Strong understanding of electrical interfaces and communication protocols such as Ethernet, CAN, RS-422/485, UART, SPI, and I2C.
Experience developing and executing functional, acceptance, and qualification test procedures for electronic hardware.
Experience with environmental and qualification testing, including vibration, thermal, shock, and EMI/EMC validation.
Experience troubleshooting complex hardware, software, and system-level integration issues using electrical test equipment such as oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies, electronic loads, and logic analyzers.

Nice To Haves

Experience with schematic capture and PCB design tools such as Altium Designer.
Experience with RF, telemetry, GPS/GNSS, inertial navigation, or other avionics communication and navigation systems.
Experience developing automated test software using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar programming environments.
Experience with data acquisition systems, instrumentation control, and automated test frameworks.
Experience transitioning electronic hardware from development and qualification into repeatable production acceptance testing.

Responsibilities

Lead a portion of the Avionics Test team and manage a team of test engineers.
Own the design, development, and implementation of fully automated test systems supporting production of Terran R electronics.
Work with cross-functional hardware and software design teams to create manufacturing test assets for acceptance and qualification testing.
Coach engineers in technical and non-technical best practices.
Foster a culture of collaboration and high performance.