Vehicle Structures Engineer I (Heat Shield)

Relativity Space•Long Beach, CA

3d•$90,000 - $136,000

About The Position

The Vehicle Structures Engineer I will take critical flight structures and supporting components for the Terran R Base Heat Shield from concept through physical hardware ready for launch. The work covers the full design cycle for primary and secondary structures, including conceptualization, design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing. Example components include OML skins, base panels, high-temperature seals, and internal supporting structures. The role involves reviewing static and dynamic load inputs, material properties and test data, and structural system and subsystem requirements; analyzing and sizing flight structures to support timely design reviews and drawing release; developing and supporting hardware test campaigns; and supporting manufacturing-process development, including tool and fixture design or analysis. The engineer works closely with Thermal Protection System, Design, Test, and Loads & Dynamics teams, documents work, and advances recommendations when decisions are needed. Weekly work may include designing flight or ground components using NX/TeamCenter, performing analysis with ANSA/META, ANSYS, or hand calculations, creating and releasing drawings, and supporting component fabrication. The mission is to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Requirements

0–2 years of experience in a full-cycle design engineering role iterating aerospace structures; experience with aerodynamically driven assemblies with thermal gradients is preferred.
Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
Demonstrated knowledge of structural analysis and testing, from hand calculations to advanced analysis.
Demonstrated knowledge of structures strength, stability, and fatigue failure mechanisms.
Demonstrated knowledge of additive and traditional manufacturing processes.
Self-motivation, ability to thrive in ambiguity, and ability to lead projects through completion.
Ability to collaborate effectively with other groups in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

Nice To Haves

Extensive experience with NX/TeamCenter.
Expertise using Nastran and ANSYS.
Experience with GD&T and drafting.

Responsibilities

Design primary and secondary Terran R Base Heat Shield structures and supporting components through the full cycle from concept to launch-ready hardware.
Review static and dynamic load inputs, material properties and test data, and structural system and subsystem requirements.
Analyze and size flight structures to support design reviews and drawing release.
Develop and support hardware test campaigns, including test integration, operation, and evaluation of results.
Support manufacturing-process development, including tool and fixture design or analysis.
Design flight or ground components using NX/TeamCenter and perform analysis using ANSA/META, ANSYS, or hand calculations.
Create and release drawings and support fabrication of components.
Document work and develop recommendations to support timely decisions.
Deliver projects on time and within budget while collaborating with Thermal Protection System, Design, Test, and Loads & Dynamics teams.