Relativity Space

Aerospace

Lead,PropulsionTestResponsibleEngineer

$136–187k Long Beach, California, United States
Market Sentiment
HIGH DEMAND

Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Lead candidates.

The Brief

“Lead, Propulsion Test Responsible Engineer at Relativity Space. Skills: Propulsion test responsible engineering, Component testing, Engine development and certification, Team leadership. Serve as a Responsible Engineer for propulsion test articles (primarily combustion devices, but may also include valves, heat exchangers, or other components). Develop test plans in collaboration with product owners”

What You'll Achieve.

Deliver highly performant and manufacturable engines for Terran R; Deliver engines that will successfully propel the Terran rocket to orbit; Support the development of our technical hardware and human teammates; Increase our collective efficiency; Achieve commercial success with Terran R

Industry & Context.

Aerospace
Problems you'll solve

Problem-solving; Troubleshooting technical puzzles; Solving problems that haven’t been solved before; New mysteries to solve

Eligibility Requirements

Full-time onsite in Long Beach, CA, Requires an average of 25% travel to our test & launch sites, May occasionally require weekend work or travel for critical milestones

What They're Looking For.

Must Have

Applying engineering fundamentals in fluid mechanics & thermodynamics, Problem-solving, Working in a collaborative environment, Exposure to test operations environments, Experience designing, analyzing, testing, or developing at least one of the following: combustion devices, valves, heat exchangers, or instrumentation, Leadership potential, which could be demonstrated e. g. , through mentoring, managing complex interdisciplinary projects, supporting continuous improvement of the people around you, or participating in growing your team through hiring

Nice to Have

Prior experience in aerospace is not required.

What You'll Do.

Serve as a Responsible Engineer for propulsion test articles (primarily combustion devices

but may also include valves

Develop test plans in collaboration with product owners

Execute test campaigns with the Stennis team

Troubleshoot technical puzzles

Own the exploratory operation of new and existing test article designs

Evaluate test hardware behavior in support of continuous engine development and certification

Hands-on work with test articles

Sit console for hotfire tests

Support engine subsystem troubleshooting

Partner team product investigations

Perform engine or component analysis and simulation

Conduct trade studies

Potentially be involved in stage test and flight campaigns

Take ownership of projects to increase collective efficiency

Lead a small team of engineers

Provide technical guidance

Make direct technical contributions

How You'll Work.

Team & Collaboration

Collaborate closely with propulsion design engineers, our manufacturing team, our Stennis test team, and our Cape launch team; Collaborate across teams; Collaborate with product owners on test plans; Collaborate with leadership; Collaborate with peers & mentors

Communication Scope

Communicating with leadership

Process & Methodology

Manage complex interdisciplinary projects, Establish priorities, Lead collaborative projects to completion with minimal oversight

Full Job Description

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 Propulsion team at Relativity is focused on developing and delivering highly performant and manufacturable engines for Terran R. Engineers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of their parts, from initial design through production to qualification and flight. The team fosters a culture of bottoms-up decision-making, free from technical gatekeeping, where ownership and accountability are key at all levels. But designing engines with a quarter million pounds of thrust is just the beginning. As the flight configuration enters qualification, the team is now exploring modifications for future engines, including thrust upgrades, new cycles, and design for mass production.. About the Role: This role is

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