Launch Engineer II (Recovery Ops)

Reposted 11 Days Ago
Easy Apply
Be an Early Applicant
Cape Canaveral, FL
In-Office
112K-143K Annually
Mid level
Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
The Role
The Launch Engineer II will develop procedures for recovery operations, lead the integration of recovery subsystems, and collaborate with teams to ensure successful recovery of flight hardware.
Summary Generated by Built In

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 Launch team operates at the intersection of every major aspect of Terran R, from stages and payloads to ground systems, launch, landing, and refurbishment. The Cape is the only place where you see it all come together, offering a level of exposure and responsibility unmatched elsewhere in the program. This is where first flights happen, where history is built on top of history, and where the scale of what's underway is unlike anything in modern aerospace. The mission stays the same, but the work evolves with every milestone: from first launch to reuse, high-cadence operations, and beyond. If you're looking to define what's next in space launch and write a new playbook, not just repeat what’s already been done, this is where it happens.

About the Role: 

The Launch Engineer II (Recovery Ops) will support the development, integration, and execution of recovery operations for the Terran R first-stage booster. This position requires close collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams and operations personnel to ensure the safe and successful recovery of flight hardware.

  • Develop and document procedures for Terran R recovery operations
  • Lead the design, integration, and operation of recovery subsystems during launch/recovery campaigns
  • Collaborate with internal engineering teams and external recovery vessel teams to optimize recovery processes
  • Safely lead activation and checkout testing of vessel subsystems, including high-pressure fluids and electrical systems
  • Support offshore recovery missions as assigned
  • Provide assistance to launch operations as needed

About You:  

  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field
  • Minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience
  • Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering projects
  • Willing and able to support offshore recovery or test operations for multiple days per campaign (as assigned)

Nice to haves but not required:  

  • Prior experience in aerospace recovery operations
  • Experience working offshore
  • Experience handling or supporting flight hardware

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.

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:
$112,000$143,000 USD

We 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 [email protected].


Top Skills

Aerospace Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Systems Engineering
Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: Long Beach, CA
1,800 Employees
Year Founded: 2016

What We Do

Relativity Space is on a mission to better connect humanity to space and the universe beyond our planet. Our medium-to-heavy lift reusable rocket, Terran R, 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.

Gallery

Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery

Relativity Space Offices

OnSite Workspace

At Relativity Space, we are an office-first company. We believe our best work happens in person—where collaboration is faster, problem-solving is sharper, and ideas flow more freely.

Typical time on-site: None
HQLong Beach, CA
Cape Canaveral, FL
Center, MS
Kent, WA
Washington, DC
Learn more

Similar Jobs

Relativity Space Logo Relativity Space

Controls Engineer

Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
Easy Apply
In-Office
Cape Canaveral, FL, USA
1800 Employees
133K-171K Annually

Relativity Space Logo Relativity Space

Controls Engineer

Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
Easy Apply
In-Office
Cape Canaveral, FL, USA
1800 Employees
112K-143K Annually

Relativity Space Logo Relativity Space

Senior Rocket Transport Specialist

Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
Easy Apply
In-Office
Cape Canaveral, FL, USA
1800 Employees
116K-150K Annually

Relativity Space Logo Relativity Space

Senior Global Supply Manager, Gas & Fuels

Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
Easy Apply
In-Office
Cape Canaveral, FL, USA
1800 Employees
116K-148K Annually

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account