Manager, Vehicle Test Engineering

Posted An Hour Ago
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Long Beach, CA, USA
In-Office
152K-228K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
Building reusable rockets to empower science and exploration.
The Role
Manage a team of vehicle test engineers and own production test deliverables for rocket stage integration. Lead vehicle and subsystem checkout operations, including fluid leak checks, low- and high-voltage checkouts, and functional verification. Develop test standards, infrastructure roadmaps, automated frameworks, test plans, data processes, operator training, and continuous-improvement initiatives. Partner with systems engineering, manufacturing, production, and program leadership to improve cycle time, quality, readiness, and schedule alignment.
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 Manufacturing team at Relativity Space is currently deep in manufacturing trades and process development for Terran R, our next generation, fully re-useable rocket. This team has a wide variety of responsibilities—from determining the most efficient factory floor layout, to developing and implementing complex tooling and processes, and even interfacing with the vehicle engineering team to heavily influence the design of the rocket. Unique to Relativity, you will get to work across many teams to iterate and support Relativity's first-of-its-kind 3D printing software and robotics technology. 
 
About the Role:
  • Manage a team of 4-5 Test Engineers, including the new Test Infrastructure team that is responsible for developing GSE/automation/etc. for production utilization. Own all Vehicle Test deliverables for the final stage integration workcenters including test plans, planned hours.
  • Move team to culture of continuous improvement – including reducing test cycle time, determining how we hit stage cycle time goals within these test demands, improve first pass-yield with the build team, etc.
  • Create strong relationship for how to get production demand signal from Stage 1, Stage 2, and Thrust Structure. Manage how the team engages with campaign ownership for test and how we can get more technicians into test-based roles, including defining desired test configurations for each product.
  • Own execution and process for all vehicle and subsystem checkout operations including fluid system leak checks, low voltage and high voltage checkouts, and functional verifications. Includes readiness for test from a GSE, test plan, and personnel perspective. Oversee test directors and execution owners who run checkouts on the factory floor.
  • Develop vehicle test standards for production including production asset control, qualification of operators, a training plan, etc. 
  • Partner with systems engineering to define requirements and data reviews. Own test data collection, post-processing, and storage for vehicle checkouts – ensuring the Validation and Verification matrix is complete for items pre-ship to downstream sites.
  • Own the strategy and roadmap for vehicle test infrastructure including automation systems, test GUIs, GSE, and checkout racks. Drive to develop automated test frameworks and require design process for these items for production utilization. 
  • Manage manifest demands through forecasting for your workcenters, working closely with upper leadership and program management to maintain schedule alignment. Make data driven decisions

About You:

  • Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace, mechanical, manufacturing engineering, or equivalent. 
  • 6+ years of experience building, testing, and integrating avionics hardware in a manufacturing environment.
  • 1+ years of experience in managing and growing engineering teams.
  • Experience interfacing with design engineering, manufacturing, and production personnel to get the highest quality output. 
  • Working knowledge of other launch vehicle subsystems including structures, propulsion, mechanisms, and high-pressure gas systems. 
  • Self-starter that has demonstrated the ability to define and own a process from scratch and roll out that process through adept communication to a diverse team.  
  • Experience with launch vehicle systems testing and checkout operations. Have operated test previously. 

Nice to haves, but not required: 

  • Experience with implementing AS9100 quality practices. 
  • Experience with onboarding MES + ERP.
  • Experience bringing a product from 1 to scaling.

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:
$152,000—$228,000 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].

Please 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.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace, mechanical, manufacturing engineering, or equivalent
  • 6+ years of experience building, testing, and integrating avionics hardware in a manufacturing environment
  • 1+ years of experience managing and growing engineering teams
  • Experience interfacing with design engineering, manufacturing, and production personnel
  • Working knowledge of launch vehicle subsystems, including structures, propulsion, mechanisms, and high-pressure gas systems
  • Ability to define and own processes from scratch and implement them across diverse teams
  • Experience with launch vehicle systems testing and checkout operations
  • Prior experience operating tests
  • Experience implementing AS9100 quality practices
  • Experience onboarding MES and ERP systems
  • Experience bringing a product from initial development to scale

Relativity Space Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is presented as comprehensive, including medical, dental, and vision, with company‑funded HSA contributions and mental‑health resources. Access to services like One Medical and strong core insurance are highlighted as standouts.
  • Parental & Family Support — Family-building support includes generous parental leave and a $10,000 stipend for fertility, adoption, and related needs. These programs are repeatedly highlighted as meaningful benefits.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off includes PTO, sick‑time accruals, 11 company holidays, and personal‑choice holidays. The overall allotment is often characterized as generous.

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The Company
HQ: Long Beach, CA
2,200 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.

Why Work With Us

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.

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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
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HQThe Wormhole
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Launch Complex 16
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NASA Stennis Space Center
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Kent, WA
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Washington, DC
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