Lead, Propulsion Test Responsible Engineer

Relativity Space•Long Beach, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Relativity Space is building rockets to serve today’s needs and tomorrow’s breakthroughs. The Terran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launch capacity. Joining Relativity means becoming part of something where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. Engineers solve problems that haven’t been solved before, helping develop a rocket, a factory, and a business from the ground up. Collaboration across teams, shaping decisions, and seeing work come to life in record time are key. Creativity and technical rigor go hand in hand, and your voice will help define the stories being written together. This is a unique moment in time to leave your mark on the product, the process, and the culture, with Terran R tangible and picking up momentum. The most meaningful work of your career is waiting. The Propulsion team 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. The team is exploring modifications for future engines, including thrust upgrades, new cycles, and design for mass production. This role is on the Component Test Team, within the Engine Systems & Test team. The broader team is responsible for developing the Aeon engine series at the system level, spanning thermofluids simulation & software tools; system-level architecture, requirements, and interfaces; component & integrated system hotfire testing; and more. The Component Test Team is primarily responsible for testing of combustion devices. They collaborate closely with propulsion design engineers, the manufacturing team, the Stennis test team, and the Cape launch team to deliver engines that will successfully propel the Terran rocket to orbit. They strive for continuous improvement and support the development of technical hardware and human teammates alike. This role may span several areas depending on skillset and team needs. In the test part of the role, you will serve as a Responsible Engineer for propulsion test articles, primarily combustion devices but potentially including valves, heat exchangers, or other components. You will develop test plans in collaboration with product owners and execute test campaigns with the Stennis team, troubleshooting technical puzzles. You will own the exploratory operation of new and existing test article designs, diving deep into the evaluation of test hardware behavior to support continuous engine development and certification. The role is varied day-to-day and can include writing test sequences, reviewing data, hands-on work with test articles, writing code, sitting console for hotfire tests, designing tooling, and more. Most test roles also involve systems work – supporting engine subsystem troubleshooting, partner team product investigations, engine or component analysis and simulation, trade studies, and more. As vehicle development progresses, there may be opportunities to be involved in stage test and flight campaigns. You will take ownership of projects to increase collective efficiency. You will also lead a small team of engineers with similar responsibilities. This requires mentorship, project management, establishing priorities, communicating with leadership, providing technical guidance, and recruiting. Leaders are expected to be both people leaders & highly technical, balancing time between supporting the team’s growth and success and making direct technical contributions. You will serve as a mentor and learn from peers and mentors within propulsion and the broader company. The Aeon R is a novel engine, and every test provides new mysteries to solve and challenges to grow from. To be successful, you should be capable of leading collaborative projects to completion with minimal oversight. You should also be a self-starter always looking for ways to improve yourself and learn more about interfacing systems. This role offers 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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, or technology field
4+ years relevant experience in a complex engineering system development and/or test environment
Experience applying engineering fundamentals in fluid mechanics & thermodynamics
Experience with problem-solving
Experience working in a collaborative environment
Exposure to test operations environments
Experience designing, analyzing, testing, or developing at least one of the following: combustion devices, valves, heat exchangers, or instrumentation
Leadership potential (demonstrated through mentoring, managing complex interdisciplinary projects, supporting continuous improvement, or participating in growing your team through hiring)

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in aerospace is not required.

Responsibilities

Serve as a Responsible Engineer for propulsion test articles (combustion devices, valves, heat exchangers, or other components).
Develop test plans in collaboration with product owners.
Execute test campaigns with the Stennis team, troubleshooting technical puzzles.
Own the exploratory operation of new and existing test article designs, evaluating test hardware behavior.
Write test sequences.
Review data.
Perform hands-on work with test articles.
Write code.
Sit console for hotfire tests.
Design tooling.
Support engine subsystem troubleshooting.
Support partner team product investigations.
Perform engine or component analysis and simulation.
Conduct trade studies.
Potentially be involved in stage test and flight campaigns.
Take ownership of projects to increase collective efficiency.
Lead a small team of engineers.
Mentor engineers.
Manage projects.
Establish priorities.
Communicate with leadership.
Provide technical guidance.
Recruit engineers.
Make direct technical contributions.