Propulsion Components Test Engineer I

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 Engine Manufacturing team is dedicated to delivering high-performance engines and advancing innovative manufacturing systems that continuously improve cost, quality, and lead time. You’re not just executing on designs; you actively provide input that shapes new hardware iterations and regularly interface with engineers to make critical decisions for the Aeon R program. Having successfully developed and refined processes for our initial development engines, the team is now focused on producing flight engines at rate for Terran R’s aggressive launch manifest.

About the Role:

• Design and commission new test assets and systems - incorporating fluid, mechanical, and electrical components – to unlock new capabilities or enhance existing ones


• Author and optimize test sequences, procedures, and operational processes to support first-article development and transition into high-volume production


• Review and analyze test data to evaluate Terran-R & Aeon-R component performance


• Define and standardize operational requirements and processes to improve safety, data quality, and test repeatability


• Plan and execute projects that improve test capabilities and operational efficiency in a manner that aligns with the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS)

About You:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering; or other related discipline.


• 3+ months of relevant technical experience, including (but not limited to):
  
  
  
  • Authoring & Executing Test Procedures
  
  
  • Designing & Commissioning Complex Fluid-Mechanical Systems
  
  
  • Leading Failure & Anomaly Investigations
  
  


• Strong understanding of and ability to apply engineering fundamentals in fluid, thermal, mechanical, and electrical engineering.


• Demonstrated knowledge of safety standards, common test hazards, and appropriate mitigations.


• Ability to find simple, innovative solutions for difficult problems and make critical decisions under pressure.

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 engine components such as pumps, valves, regulators, check valves, as well as electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic valves, actuators, and other fluid system components.


• Desire to work hands-on, as part of a team, in both the development and production phases of a product lifecycle.

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:

$97,000 - $124,300 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.