Staff Propulsion Design Engineer, Engine Systems Design

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 Propulsion team at Relativity is focused on developing and delivering highly performant and manufacturable engines for Terran R. Engineers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of their parts, from initial design through production to qualification and flight. The team fosters a culture of bottoms-up decision-making, free from technical gatekeeping, where ownership and accountability are key at all levels. But designing engines with a quarter million pounds of thrust is just the beginning. As the flight configuration enters qualification, the team is now exploring modifications for future engines, including thrust upgrades, new cycles, and design for mass production.

About the Role:

As an Engine Assembly Responsible Engineer you will be responsible for owning top-level engine CAD models. Depending on the phase of the program and the engine configuration that you are owning, this role will entail:

Lead CAD release and configuration control for production engine assemblies, ensuring accurate eBOM structures and smooth downstream integrationOwn engine layout and packaging trades, including definition of Keep-in-Zone (KiZ) and Keep-out-Zone (KoZ) boundariesDesign and analyze Integrated Design hardware (fluid manifolds, tubing, ducting, secondary structures) and execute rapid design tweaks to support engine testingDrive cross-functional alignment as point of contact for Vehicle, Avionics, Manufacturing, Integration, and Test teamsDefine engine assembly tolerances/requirements as defined on Interface Control Diagrams (ICDs.) - Establish and standardize best practices across the Propulsion organization for things like fittings, bolts, seals, etc.Champion the change management process and help continuously improve it. - Own tracking of key engine metrics, like mass and part countPartner with the Integration/Manufacturing team by reviewing and continuously improving Process Plans, Work Orders, and Non-ConformancesStrive to set downstream stakeholders up for success by enabling increased engine build rates and quality. Provide floor support at times to resolve build issues

About You:

8+ years of professional design experienceBachelor's degree in an engineering fieldDemonstrated project/technical leadership skillsStrong understanding of engineering fundamentals in structures, fluids, thermal, and mechanismsCAD skills (any platform) and ability to make high quality engineering drawings that meet industry standards and leverage GD&T as neededExperience with large CAD model management, change management, and configuration managementExperience owning ambiguous layout and packaging trades. Demonstrated ability navigating conflicting stakeholder requirements and finding the best path forwardExperience designing Integrated Design hardware (manifolds, secondary structure, tubing, etc.)Systems thinker. Demonstrated ability to zoom out and view the engine's design holistically. Desire to do what is best for the engine as a whole, rather than a specific componentAbility to understand the work of other teams and assess how that work will impact the engine as a whole/impact other teams or components. Proactively communicates these assessments as neededAttention to detail, thorough, exhibits strong follow-through. Understands the critical importance of a flawless eBOM that sets downstream stakeholders up for successGreat Integration/Manufacturing partner. Experience with any Manufacturing Execution System (MES.) Addresses DFA/DFM feedback in a timely fashion to set production up for success
 
Nice to haves, but not required:

Experience with Siemens NX and Teamcenter, specificallyExperience in the design of liquid propulsion components and systemsExperience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and commercial tools such as Ansys, Abaqus, or NastranFamiliarity with aerospace standards (AS, NAS, SAE, etc.)Experience with creating release, mass, and part count reports. Ability to communicate this information to leadership and stakeholders in a clear and concise mannerFamiliarity with Qualification and Acceptance test requirements for flight hardware

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: $176,000—$225,500 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

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