Senior Propulsion Test EngineerAt 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.The Stennis Test team designs, builds, and operates test sites to evaluate Terran R's high-energy components, rocket engines, and both booster and upper stages. Team members are hands-on with these large-scale, complex systems, pushing hardware to the limits and directly contributing to flight readiness. The work is fast-paced, highly operational, and collaborative. No aerospace experience required—we welcome fresh graduates as well as those with hands-on backgrounds in aviation, automotive, manufacturing, offshore operations, industrial systems, construction, or adjacent industries. As the Stennis Test site scales to meet growing demand, the team plays a critical role in paving the way for routine, reliable flights of Terran R.As a Senior Propulsion Test Engineer, you will work with test stands and test articles (high-energy components, engines, and full stages) for Terran R. You'll have the opportunity to see a heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle and its many parts come to life through testing. Test and flight articles are designed and built in our Long Beach factory, then sent to Stennis to undergo rigorous testing. You'll solve a variety of technical problems across broad ranges of timeframe, complexity, and impact, and continuously improve processes to move faster and more efficiently.
The role includes three focus areas - Design & Build, Operations, and Integration. You'll initially be placed on a team in one focus area, with opportunities to work across focuses as you develop in the role, particularly between Operations and Integration which work closely together.Design & Build FocusDesign fluid systems (gas, liquid, cryogenic) including Piping & Instruction Diagrams (P&IDs), analysis, and component selectionDesign structural and mechanical systems including 3D modeling, analysis, and fabrication drawingsSource components and develop detailed fabrication work instructionsBring new test stands to life by managing fabrication, activation, and initial operationsDesign and implement upgrades to operational test stands to enable new test capabilitiesMaintain test stands through preventive maintenance and rapid response to anomalies & equipment failuresOperations FocusConduct test operations on high-energy components, engines, and stagesControl test stand and test article through GUIs and automation while monitoring cameras and telemetryConduct flight acceptance, qualification, and development testing campaigns to validate designs and continuously improve the rocketDevelop and optimize GUIs, procedures, control automation, and data review processesPrepare test articles for testing through inspections, functional checks, leak checks, and managing non-conformancesBring new test stands to life and support modifications and maintenance on existing facilitiesOperations Engineers typically work a scheduled morning or evening shiftIntegration FocusManage test articles through test prep, post-test processing, and repairsAuthor work instructions for test articles and coordinate work with technicians and quality inspectorsManage non-conformances, author corrective work instructions, and implement part requirementsMaintain work instructions current with evolving build specifications and drive standardization across sitesIncorporate feedback and optimize part usage to streamline hardware flow and reduce wasteIntegration Engineers typically work a scheduled morning or evening shiftAbout YouBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related fieldNo aerospace experience needed—we value unique backgrounds and perspectivesDemonstrated ability to safely operate common power toolsAbility to deliver on tight schedules, especially when unconventional & creative solutions are necessaryThis role may require travel to production and launch locations, up to 10%Valid driver's license to operate vehicles on the test siteNice to haves but not requiredProficiency in 3D modeling and drafting, including GD&TStrong engineering fundamentals in Thermal Fluid Systems and StructuresHands-on fabrication experience for complex assembliesWorking knowledge of fluid components and ability to understand/develop fluid P&IDs for large-scale test systemsExperience safely operating complex fluid systems, including high pressure gas, cryogenic fluids, flammables, and hydraulicsTechnical writing or documentation experienceSuccessful candidates must clear a background check administered by the US government to obtain clearance for on-site work at our government partner location in Stennis, Mississippi.At Relativity Space, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.
Compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more! To see some of the benefits & perks we offer, please visit here.Hiring Range: $124,000 —$186,000 USDWe are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at note: Relativity Space does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate profiles, or referrals from recruitment agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited submission - via email, our website, social media, or directly to an employee - will be deemed the property of Relativity Space, and no fee will be owed absent a current, fully executed agreement with Talent Acquisition that specifically authorizes submissions for the applicable role.