Manager, Launch Mechanical Engineering

Relativity Space•Long Beach, CA

1d•$150,000 - $224,000

About The Position

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 Launch Mechanical team is responsible for building world class launch facilities to support flights of the Terran R launch vehicle. As part of the team, you will take on the challenge of designing, building, testing, and integrating complex mechanical systems that interface directly with the launch vehicle. You will have the opportunity to be part of a small team of engineers who are responsible for the full engineering cycle on projects that involve static structures, dynamic mechanisms, and control systems using fluid, electrical, and combustion powered sources. About the Role: Manage a team of launch mechanical engineers who design, build, and test mechanisms, tools, and interfaces used with flight vehicles and ground systems. Set clear priorities for the team and plan work based on launch schedules, program needs, and company goals. Support engineers with design decisions, problem-solving, and practical mechanical engineering methods. Coordinate staffing, schedules, design reviews, technical risks, and work with other engineering and operations teams. Review launch system designs and help the team develop safe, reliable, and practical solutions. Hire, train, coach, and evaluate team members, and provide leadership with clear updates on progress, risks, and resource needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.
5+ years of engineering experience in launch operations, testing, ground systems, or other complex mechanical systems.
1+ year of experience managing an engineering team, including assigning work, coaching employees, and providing performance feedback.
Strong engineering fundamentals in structures, mechanical design, and fluid systems
Experience completing engineering projects on schedule while addressing technical issues and changing priorities.
Experience mentoring engineers, resolving work-related conflicts, and communicating clearly with technical teams and leadership.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing, building, testing, or operating launch vehicle interface mechanisms and tooling.
Familiarity with NASA, Department of Defense, U.S. Space Force, or similar engineering and safety standards.
Knowledge of structural materials and common manufacturing processes.
Experience designing fluid systems that use high-pressure gases, cryogenic fluids, flammable fluids, or hydraulics.

Responsibilities

Manage a team of launch mechanical engineers who design, build, and test mechanisms, tools, and interfaces used with flight vehicles and ground systems.
Set clear priorities for the team and plan work based on launch schedules, program needs, and company goals.
Support engineers with design decisions, problem-solving, and practical mechanical engineering methods.
Coordinate staffing, schedules, design reviews, technical risks, and work with other engineering and operations teams.
Review launch system designs and help the team develop safe, reliable, and practical solutions.
Hire, train, coach, and evaluate team members, and provide leadership with clear updates on progress, risks, and resource needs.