Manager, Propulsion Analysis

Relativity Space•Long Beach, CA

7d•$160,000 - $220,000

About The Position

Relativity Space is building rockets to serve today’s needs and tomorrow’s breakthroughs, with their Terran R vehicle designed to deliver customer payloads to orbit and meet the growing demand for launch capacity. Joining Relativity means becoming part of a team where autonomy, ownership, and impact are paramount. Engineers collaborate across teams, shape decisions, and see their work come to life rapidly. The Propulsion team at Relativity 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. In this role, you will manage a team of analysts responsible for the analysis of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engine (LPRE) propulsion hardware. You and your team will own thermal, structural, dynamic, and durability (fatigue/fracture) analyses for Aeon-R engines and subsystems to guide design decisions and ensure performance and reliability requirements are met. You will analyze 3D-printed engine components, complex mechanical assemblies, and the fully integrated engine for structural integrity. You will partner closely with mechanical design and manufacturing teams to develop and iterate optimal engine and vehicle solutions, using analysis to drive design iterations and inform engineering decisions. You will sign off on flight hardware readiness and acceptability, and make analysis-driven decisions and risk assessments aligned with company risk posture. To be successful, you should thrive in ambiguity and be capable of leading a high-performing team of propulsion analysts through multiple complex projects in parallel. You will set the team's vision and direction, align priorities with program milestones, delegate effectively, and drive execution with minimal oversight. Additionally, you will provide technical leadership, establish high standards for engineering rigor and quality, and play a key role in recruiting, mentoring, and developing engineers. Success requires strong cross-functional collaboration and the ability to influence technical approaches, best practices, and engineering standards across the organization. This role offers the opportunity to have a significant impact on a fast-growing team and accelerate professional growth in an environment that values ownership, learning, and thoughtful risk-taking.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, technology, or mathematics field
7+ years of relevant engineering experience, preferably working on complex engineering systems
Proven leadership experience, demonstrated through mentoring, managing complex interdisciplinary projects, supporting continuous improvement of the people around you, and participating in growing your team through hiring
Experience applying engineering fundamentals in structures, fluids, and thermodynamics
Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA,) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD,) and Computer Aided Design (CAD)

Nice To Haves

2 or more years of direct experience, working on the analysis of liquid propellant rocket engine hardware/components
Working knowledge of engine subsystems such as combustion devices, turbomachinery, valves, integration hardware, etc.
Familiarity with industry best practices and aerospace standards
Exposure to, and knowledge of, powder bed additive manufacturing
Demonstrated drive to deliver on ambitious schedules, especially if unconventional & creative solutions are necessary to do so

Responsibilities

Own thermal, structural, dynamic, and durability (fatigue/fracture) analyses for Aeon-R engines and subsystems to guide design decisions and to ensure performance and reliability requirements are met
Analyze 3D-printed engine components, complex mechanical assemblies, and the fully integrated engine for structural integrity
Partner closely with mechanical design teams and manufacturing teams to develop and iterate optimal engine and vehicle solutions
Use analysis to drive design iterations and inform engineering decisions
Sign off on flight hardware readiness and acceptability
Make analysis-driven decisions and risk assessments aligned with company risk posture
Set the team's vision and direction, align priorities with program milestones, delegate effectively, and drive execution with minimal oversight
Provide technical leadership, establish high standards for engineering rigor and quality
Play a key role in recruiting, mentoring, and developing engineers