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Propulsion Development Engineer I (Engine Systems & Test)

Relativity Space

Relativity Space

Long Beach, CA, USA
Posted on Sep 27, 2024

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 Propulsion Engineering team at Relativity Space is responsible for engines that will power the Terran R launch vehicle. We own the design from concept through successful launch and reuse and we work with our partner teams to manufacture, test and integrate those engines. We’re developing these engines in record time, going from initial sizing point of the Aeon R engine in early 2022 to a successful integrated, full duration hot fire test in late 2023. Over the next year, we will test 3 iterations of Aeon R, our booster engine, culminating in qualification for flight, and test our first iteration or Aeon R Vac, our second stage engine. As a part of this team, you will help build, test and iterate on the full product lifecycle of our Aeon-R engine systems from concept through launch and reuse.

About the Role:

This role may span several areas of our team depending on your skillset and the team’s needs at the time. In the test part of your role, you will serve as a Responsible Engineer for Aeon engine test articles, developing test plans, executing them with our Stennis test team, and troubleshooting technical puzzles along the way. As a result, a strong grasp of engineering fundamentals in fluid mechanics & thermodynamics are important to success in this position. On the systems side, you may support engine system analysis and simulation, trade studies, defining interfaces with other groups, and more. As our vehicle development program progresses, you may have the opportunity to be involved in stage test and flight campaigns. You will also take ownership of projects of your creation to increase our collective efficiency.

In order to be successful in this role you should be capable of leading collaborative projects to completion with minimal oversight, displaying clear evidence of experience with ownership, problem-solving skills, and effective collaboration at school or work. You should also be a self-starter who is always looking for ways to improve yourself & learn more about the systems that interface with yours. These high expectations come with the opportunity to have a significant influence on a fast-growing startup company and to make rapid professional gains in an environment that encourages growth and risk.

This role requires an average of 25% travel to our test & launch sites and may occasionally require shifted schedules or weekend work for critical milestones.

About you:

  • Technical experience from school, internships, or work driving to deliver on ambitious schedules, even and especially if unconventional & creative solutions are necessary to do so
  • Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, technology, or mathematics field

Nice to haves but not required:

  • Working knowledge of fluid components such as valves and instrumentation
  • Working knowledge of engine subsystems such as combustion devices and turbomachinery
  • This is an entry-level role. Prior internship or full-time work experience is preferred but not required

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:
$95,000$119,000 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.