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. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock new opportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress beyond the known.
Joining Relativity means becoming part of a company where autonomy, ownership, and impact are valued at every level. Here, you're not just executing tasks; you're solving unprecedented problems, developing rockets, factories, and a business from the ground up. Whether in propulsion, manufacturing, software, avionics, or corporate functions, you'll collaborate across teams, influence decisions, and see your work materialize rapidly. Relativity fosters a culture where creativity and technical rigor go hand in hand, and your voice helps shape our shared story. Now is a unique moment to leave your mark on the product, process, and culture, with Terran R gaining momentum. The most meaningful work of your career awaits. Join us.
About the Team:
The Propulsion team at Relativity develops high-performance, manufacturable engines for Terran R. Engineers oversee the entire lifecycle of engine parts, from design through production, qualification, and flight. The team values bottoms-up decision-making, ownership, and accountability. Designing engines with significant thrust is just the start; as the flight configuration moves into qualification, the team explores modifications for future engines, including thrust upgrades, new cycles, and design for mass production.
About the Role:
This role may encompass various areas depending on your skills and team needs. Core responsibilities include driving engine system trades (architecture + CONOPS), managing engine interfaces, negotiating requirements, and supporting overall engine system development. You may also assist with engine analysis, testing, tool development, and more. As a system engineer, you will coordinate with technical teams, apply deep technical expertise, and mentor team members.
You will also lead a team of engineers with similar responsibilities. This involves mentorship, project management, setting priorities, communicating with leadership, providing technical guidance, and recruiting. As a leader at Relativity, you balance technical contributions with supporting your team’s growth. You will learn from peers and mentors within propulsion and the broader company. The engine — Aeon R — is a novel design, and each test reveals new challenges and learning opportunities.
Success in this role requires leading collaborative projects with minimal oversight, supporting your team, and continuously seeking improvement. You should be a self-starter, invested in your team’s growth, and eager to learn about interfacing systems. This role offers significant influence in a fast-growing startup environment with opportunities for rapid professional development.
This position is full-time onsite at our factory in Long Beach, CA, with an average of 15% travel to test and launch sites. Occasional shifted schedules or weekend work may be required for critical milestones.
About You:
- Bachelor's degree in science, engineering, technology, or mathematics
- 8+ years of relevant engineering experience, including at least 2 years with liquid-propellant rocket engines
- Experience leading teams
- Strong foundation in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics
Nice to haves:
- Knowledge of fluid components like valves and instrumentation
- Knowledge of engine subsystems such as combustion devices and turbomachinery
- Drive to meet ambitious schedules with creative solutions
- Experience mentoring, managing interdisciplinary projects, and supporting team growth
Relativity Space values transparency and fairness in compensation. Actual salary depends on experience and qualifications. Our total rewards include competitive salary and equity, generous PTO and sick leave, parental leave, an annual learning stipend, and more. For details, please visit our benefits page.
Hiring Range: $185,000—$204,000 USD
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, or disability.
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