Staff Launch Mechanical Engineer

Relativity Space•Cape Canaveral, FL

4h•Onsite

About The Position

As a Staff Launch Mechanical Engineer, you will serve as the technical lead and systems architect for launch and ground support hardware supporting Terran R operations. This role is focused on defining system architecture, evaluating design requests, ensuring requirements are met, understanding operational concepts, and resolving complex integration challenges before they impact hardware, schedule, or launch readiness. You will work across vehicle, launch, manufacturing, test, and ground systems teams to translate high-level mission and operational needs into practical, manufacturable concepts. Rather than owning every detailed design activity directly, you will guide technical direction, perform design and manufacturability reviews, create preliminary concepts, and help teams make sound engineering decisions. This role also includes significant involvement in build, integration, and launch execution. You will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams to resolve issues in real time, coordinate integration activities, and lead the technical response to unexpected challenges during hardware installation, testing, and launch preparation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
10+ years of engineering experience in mechanical, structural, manufacturing, launch, test, or ground support systems.
Experience serving as a technical lead, systems architect, or integration lead for complex engineering programs.
Strong ability to define requirements, understand concept of operations, and guide cross-functional teams through design and integration challenges.
Experience leading design reviews, manufacturability reviews, and technical decision-making across multiple engineering disciplines.
Successful candidates must clear a background check administered by the US government to obtain clearance for on-site work at our government partner location in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting launch site operations, hardware integration, refurbishment, or test activities in an aerospace environment.
Familiarity with structural, fluid, or ground support systems, including high-pressure gas, cryogenic, hydraulic, or launch interface hardware.
Experience with NASA, Department of Defense, Space Force, or other aerospace industry standards.

Responsibilities

Lead system architecture and technical direction for launch and ground support hardware, ensuring requirements, interfaces, safety, and concept of operations are fully understood before design begins.
Create preliminary concepts and conduct design and manufacturability reviews to guide engineering teams toward practical, buildable solutions.
Coordinate across vehicle, launch, manufacturing, test, and ground systems teams to resolve technical issues and keep work aligned with schedule and operational needs.
Define manufacturing, integration, and test strategies, partnering closely with technicians and operations teams to support successful build and launch execution.
Lead troubleshooting and root cause investigations during hardware installation, integration, and launch preparation, making timely technical decisions in a fast-paced environment.