Senior Propulsion Components Test Engineer

Posted 8 Days Ago
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Long Beach, CA
Hybrid
130K-166K Annually
5-7 Years Experience
3D Printing • Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software
We are building the future of aerospace.
The Role
As a Senior Propulsion Components Test Engineer, you will design and execute tests involving pneumatic, hydraulic, thermal, and electromechanical systems for aerospace hardware. Your responsibilities include creating test systems, optimizing procedures, analyzing results, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure flight readiness of the Aeon-R and Terran-R programs.
Summary Generated by Built In

At Relativity Space, we have two audacious goals: to build the next great commercial launch company with Terran R and to become America's leading force in additive manufacturing innovation. Both contribute to our long-term vision of creating humanity’s industrial base on Mars, paving the way for interplanetary life to expand the possibilities of the human experience. This journey begins right here on Earth – where we design, build, and fly rockets to deliver customer payloads to orbit. Terran R, our medium-to-heavy lift reusable rocket, fulfills the growing demand for launch capacity, thanks to our iterative approach that accelerates design, testing, and development while minimizing costs. While our groundbreaking research and development in 3D printing pushes the boundaries of large-scale additive manufacturing.

Your journey with us is more than just a job – it’s an opportunity to shape the future of aerospace technology, additive manufacturing, and the human experience alongside a community of passionate, creative individuals. Join us on this extraordinary journey, as we work together to transform our vision into reality.

About the Team: 

The engine manufacturing department's mission is to product high performing products & manufacturing systems by continuously innovating on cost, quality, and lead time. Through cross-functional collaboration, high levels of accountability, and a focus on safety we support the Terran R program. We are responsible for providing design feedback on new hardware iterations, developing new manufacturing methods and systems, and ultimately building engine and vehicle hardware for testing prior to our first launch. Our team's highlights from the last 6 months include the MDC of the first Aeon-R engine, completing thousands of hours of PBF printing, building and testing over 50 valves of 26 different iterations, and implementing large scale process improvements along the way.

About the Role:

As a Propulsion Components Test Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, analysis, documentation, training, operation, and execution of pneumatic, hydraulic, thermal/cryogenic, electromechanical, environmental, and dynamics (shock & vibration) testing in support of the development, qualification, and recurring acceptance of flight hardware for the Aeon-R and Terran-R programs. You will create, commission, iterate, and refine test equipment, processes, and documentation to support scaled, high-rate production. You will work in close partnership with design engineers, manufacturing engineers, and technicians to safely execute spaceflight test campaigns, accelerate developmental learnings, and validate hardware flight readiness. 

  • Design test systems incorporating fluid, mechanical, and electrical components
  • Commission new test assets and systems 
  • Plan, create, modify, and optimize test sequences, procedures, and operational processes to support first-article development and transition to high-volume production. 
  • Identify and implement new test and tooling solutions 
  • Analyze test results and generate reportable deliverables

About You:

  • B.S. degree or higher in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering or other related discipline
  • 6+ years of relevant technical experience, including: 
    • Authoring & Executing Test Procedures 
    • Designing & Commissioning Complex Fluid-Mechanical Systems 
    • Leading Failure & Anomaly Investigations  
  • Strong engineering fundamentals in fluids, thermal, mechanical, and electrical engineering

Nice to haves but not required:  

  • Familiarity with Industry Test Standards: e.g., SMC-S-016, MIL-STD-1540D, & MIL-STD-810G
  • In-depth knowledge and experience with test automation, data acquisition, and control systems
  • Knowledge of Instrumentation, including Pressure Transducers, Thermocouples, RTDs, and Accelerometers
  • Experience operating cryogenic fluid systems
  • In-depth knowledge of rocket engine components 

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:

$130,000$166,000 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.

Top Skills

Aerospace
Electrical
Mechanical

What the Team is Saying

Ashley
Tim
Vlad
The Company
HQ: Long Beach, CA
1,200 Employees
Hybrid Workplace
Year Founded: 2016

What We Do

A rocket company at the core, Relativity Space is on a mission to become the next great commercial launch company. Terran R, our medium-to-heavy lift reusable launch vehicle, will reliably deliver payloads to orbit on-time and on-budget for customers – meeting the needs of growing demand for space infrastructure. Leveraging the benefits of additive manufacturing to design, test, and iterate at a pace unmatched in the industry, we are changing the way rockets are built and flown.

Our long-term goal is to create humanity’s industrial base on Mars, paving the way for interplanetary life to fundamentally expand the possibilities of the human experience. The first step toward this vision starts here on Earth, by building the next great commercial launch company.

Why Work With Us

For 60 years, aerospace manufacturing has relied on fixed tooling and complex supply chains to slowly build rockets comprised of hundreds of thousands of parts. Leveraging advances in additive manufacturing, Relativity Space is strategically focused on reducing vehicle complexity, cost, and time to market.

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Relativity Space Teams

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Launching the Future of Humanity in Space
About our Teams

Relativity Space Offices

Hybrid Workspace

Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.

Given the dynamic nature and diversity of roles at Relativity Space, there is no one-size-fits-all approach for how every team works best.

Typical time on-site: Flexible
HQLong Beach, CA
Cape Canaveral, FL
Center, MS
Kent, WA
Washington, DC
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