Manager, Propulsion Analysis

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

In this role, you will manage a team of analysts that is responsible for the analysis of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engine (LPRE) propulsion hardware. You and your team will:

• Own thermal, structural, dynamic, and durability (fatigue/fracture) analyses for Aeon-R engines and subsystems to guide design decisions and to ensure performance and reliability requirements are met
• Analyze 3D-printed engine components, complex mechanical assemblies, and the fully integrated engine for structural integrity
• Partner closely with mechanical design teams and manufacturing teams to develop and iterate optimal engine and vehicle solutions
• Use analysis to drive design iterations and inform engineering decisions
• Sign off on flight hardware readiness and acceptability
• Make analysis-driven decisions and risk assessments aligned with company risk posture

To be successful in this role, you should thrive in ambiguity and be capable of leading a high-performing team of propulsion analysts through multiple complex projects in parallel. You will set the team's vision and direction, align priorities with program milestones, delegate effectively, and drive execution with minimal oversight. Additionally, you will provide technical leadership, establish high standards for engineering rigor and quality, and play a key role in recruiting, mentoring, and developing engineers. Success in this role requires strong cross-functional collaboration and the ability to influence technical approaches, best practices, and engineering standards across the organization. Along with these expectations comes the opportunity to have a significant impact on a fast-growing team and accelerate your professional growth in an environment that values ownership, learning, and thoughtful risk-taking.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, technology, or mathematics field
• 7+ years of relevant engineering experience, preferably working on complex engineering systems
• Proven leadership experience, demonstrated through mentoring, managing complex interdisciplinary projects, supporting continuous improvement of the people around you, and participating in growing your team through hiring
• Experience applying engineering fundamentals in structures, fluids, and thermodynamics
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA,) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD,) and Computer Aided Design (CAD)

Nice to haves, but not required:

• 2 or more years of direct experience, working on the analysis of liquid propellant rocket engine hardware/components
• Working knowledge of engine subsystems such as combustion devices, turbomachinery, valves, integration hardware, etc.
• Familiarity with industry best practices and aerospace standards
• Exposure to, and knowledge of, powder bed additive manufacturing
• Demonstrated drive to deliver on ambitious schedules, especially if unconventional & creative solutions are necessary to do so