Fluids Analyst I, Combustion Devices

Relativity Space; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 74,700 - 124,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Generous PTO and sick leave

Parental leave

Learning stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space is seeking a propulsion CFD engineer to contribute to the design and qualification of combustion devices using CFD, including injectors and thrust chambers. You will work with the propulsion team to advance analysis of heat exchangers and igniters, shaping models across the development lifecycle.

You will review test and flight data to anchor models, interface with hardware designers, and propose analysis approaches to reduce design iteration time while maintaining rigorous

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering field.
• Experience in performing computation fluid dynamics analyses.
• Familiar with pre/post-processing, meshing, boundary conditions, etc.
• Experience with basic engineering scripting in Python, MATLAB, or similar.
• Strong background in fluid mechanics and heat transfer.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to design and qualification of combustion devices hardware (injectors, thrust chamber, heat exchangers, igniters) through Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis.
• Review test and flight data as necessary to evaluate and anchor models.
• Interface with hardware designers and utilize thermofluid expertise to influence design decisions.
• Develop and recommend analysis approaches that may decrease design iteration time.
• A strong commitment to accountability, collaboration, and execution.

Skills

CFD analysis experience

Python/MATLAB scripting

Fluid mechanics

Heat transfer

Education

Bachelor's degree in science or engineering

Tools

Siemens STAR-CCM+

Job description

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. 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:

• Contribute to design and qualification of combustion devices hardware (injectors, thrust chamber, heat exchangers, igniters) through Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis
• Review test and flight data as necessary to evaluate and anchor models
• Interface with hardware designers and utilize thermofluid expertise to influence design decisions
• Develop and recommend analysis approaches that may decrease design iteration time
• A strong commitment to accountability, collaboration, and execution

About you:

• Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering field
• Experience in performing computation fluid dynamics analyses (employment, internships, project experience)
• Familiar with typical analysis steps including pre/post‑processing, meshing, boundary conditions, etc.
• Experience with basic engineering scripting in Python, MATLAB, or similar
• Strong background in fluid mechanics and heat transfer

Nice to haves, but not required:

• We believe varied perspectives & backgrounds strengthen our team. Prior experience in aerospace is not required
• Graduate degree in a science or engineering field
• Experience in Siemens STAR-CCM+
• Working knowledge of rocket engine subsystems, such as combustion devices

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: $90,000 — $124,500 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 at [e-mail].