Materials Characterization Technician II, Mechanical

Relativity Space•Long Beach, CA

1d•$26 - $39•Onsite

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 Materials and NDE (Non-Destructive Evaluation) team plays a central role in enabling Terran R to fly, re-fly, and scale: developing, characterizing, and inspecting materials and processes across all parts of the vehicle. From welding and additive manufacturing to advanced composites, the team works at the intersection of innovation and execution, balancing performance and reliability with cost, quality, and schedule. As we move toward first flight and beyond, the challenges become more exciting, offering opportunities to shape how we design and develop for re-use. With ownership across products, systems, and disciplines, engineers gain broad exposure and drive key decisions across design, manufacturing, and operations. About the Role: Perform tensile, compression, hardness, fatigue, and other mechanical tests according to approved procedures Prepare, measure, identify, and inspect test specimens to confirm they meet testing requirements Set up test fixtures, grips, extensometers, and instrumentation appropriate for each test Operate mechanical testing equipment and monitor tests for abnormal behavior Record test conditions, observations, and results accurately while maintaining specimen traceability Review data for completeness and flag unexpected results, equipment issues, or procedural deviations Complete routine equipment checks and maintenance; verify calibration status before use Troubleshoot common setup and equipment problems, escalating issues when needed Work with engineers and other technicians to coordinate testing priorities and schedules Support training of newer technicians on established procedures and safe equipment operation Maintain a clean, organized laboratory and follow all safety requirements

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Typically two or more years of relevant experience in mechanical testing, materials testing, or a laboratory environment
Working knowledge of mechanical testing equipment, specimen preparation, and measurement tools
Ability to read technical drawings, work instructions, and applicable ASTM testing procedures
Understanding of basic material properties, including yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, and hardness
Ability to use testing software, enter data, and prepare clear test documentation
Strong attention to detail, communication, and problem-solving skills

Nice To Haves

Associate degree or technical certification in materials science, mechanical technology, or a related field
Experience with metallic materials, aerospace applications, and servo-hydraulic or electromechanical test systems
Familiarity with fatigue testing, extensometers, load cells, and data acquisition systems.

Responsibilities

Perform tensile, compression, hardness, fatigue, and other mechanical tests according to approved procedures
Prepare, measure, identify, and inspect test specimens to confirm they meet testing requirements
Set up test fixtures, grips, extensometers, and instrumentation appropriate for each test
Operate mechanical testing equipment and monitor tests for abnormal behavior
Record test conditions, observations, and results accurately while maintaining specimen traceability
Review data for completeness and flag unexpected results, equipment issues, or procedural deviations
Complete routine equipment checks and maintenance; verify calibration status before use
Troubleshoot common setup and equipment problems, escalating issues when needed
Work with engineers and other technicians to coordinate testing priorities and schedules
Support training of newer technicians on established procedures and safe equipment operation
Maintain a clean, organized laboratory and follow all safety requirements