Staff Structures Test Engineer

Company Overview:  

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 Dev Test team is responsible for all hazardous testing in our Long Beach facilities. We use our breadth of experience and collaborative engineering approach to support everything from very large structural tests to precise valve actuation. To that end, we design, build, and operate all test assets from initial concept to test execution. If you enjoy working on a multi-disciplinary team with a broad mandate and want to put hands on hardware, then this is the team for you.

About the Role: 

As a Staff Structures Engineer on the Dev Test team, you will be responsible for the design, fabrication, and activation of test stands and fixtures for our Terran R launch vehicle. Based in Long Beach, our engineers are responsible for the full design cycle on projects ranging from fast and temporary to permanent, long-term infrastructure. You will identify the key stakeholders across many partner teams, surface the key questions, and drive the resolution of complex test constraints. You will be a key mentor and advisor for the test department. Your primary duties will include:

• Design and analysis of static and/or dynamic test stands
• Creation of fabrication drawings, procurement, and project management
• Assembly, commissioning, and operation of test stands
• Review and approval of test stand designs.

You should be an expert in your field, able to help us solve new and wide-ranging challenges. While previous aerospace experience is not required, you should be an accomplished designer and analyst of critical structural systems.

About You:  

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field
• 7+ years of experience designing, analyzing, and building metallic structures.
• Experience with the complete design cycle from requirements generation to functional product
• Proficiency in 3D modeling and drafting, including expert knowledge of GD&T
• Thorough understanding of engineering fundamentals and their application, including the ability to help others achieve similar mastery.
• Expert level knowledge of structural analysis using NASTRAN or similar tools
• Track record of delivering complex and innovative projects on time and on budget.

Nice to haves but not required:  

• Previous design experience with weld size analysis
• Hands-on experience with metalworking, welding, hydraulics, manufacturing, etc.
• Experience operating construction equipment (forklift, telehandler, excavator, boom crane, etc)
• Ability to automate workflows using Python, VBA, etc.
• Willing to work at heights, in confined spaces, in a dirty environment, and away from your desk.
• No previous aerospace experience is required for this position.

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.