Senior Materials Characterization Technician, Machine Shop, Second Shift

Relativity Space•Long Beach, CA

1d•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. This role is part of the Materials and NDE (Non-Destructive Evaluation) team, which plays a central role in enabling Terran R to fly, re-fly, and scale by developing, characterizing, and inspecting materials and processes across all parts of the vehicle. The team works at the intersection of innovation and execution, balancing performance and reliability with cost, quality, and schedule. This is a second-shift position with a standard schedule of Monday through Friday, 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. PT. The role involves setting up and operating CNC mills and lathes, performing first article inspections, programming, setups, dry runs, and program edits for accuracy to produce precision aerospace metal alloy components and materials test coupons. It also includes programming and editing G-code, utilizing CAD/CAM software, designing and building custom fixturing, inspecting finished parts, maintaining and troubleshooting machining equipment, and communicating with engineering teams to translate project requirements into machining solutions. Additionally, the role involves developing and enforcing standardized workflows for machine shop operations.

Requirements

5+ years of hands-on experience setting up and operating CNC mills and lathes, including routine maintenance and troubleshooting
Proven ability to perform first article inspections, including programming, setups, dry runs, and editing programs for accuracy
Ability to design and build custom fixturing and follow setup sheets for fixtures, tooling, and inserts
Working knowledge of G-code programming, with the ability to read, understand, and edit existing programs
Proficiency with common inspection tools (calipers, micrometers, dial indicators, etc.) to inspect parts and verify dimensions against engineering drawings and specifications
Ability to adapt in fast paced environments and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications

Nice To Haves

Wire EDM experience is a plus
Experience in machine maintenance, troubleshooting, and calibration to ensure optimal performance
Solid understanding of machining best practices for aerospace materials
Strong oral and written communication skills
Strong understanding of tolerancing and measurement techniques in accordance with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) standards

Responsibilities

Set up and operate CNC mills and lathes, performing first article inspections including programming, setups, dry runs, and program edits for accuracy, to produce precision aerospace metal alloy components and materials test coupons
Program and edit G-code and utilize CAD/CAM software to create, modify, and refine CNC programs
Design and build custom fixturing to support machining operations, and follow established setup sheets covering fixtures, tooling, and inserts
Inspect finished parts and verify dimensions using precision measuring instruments to ensure compliance with engineering specifications and aerospace industry standards
Maintain, troubleshoot, and calibrate machining equipment
Communicate effectively with engineering teams and cross-functional stakeholders to translate project requirements into machining solutions
Develop and enforce standardized workflows for machine shop operations, including shift hand-offs and documentation of machining procedures