Fluids Analyst II, Combustion Devices

Relativity; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Generous PTO

Learning stipend

Parental leave

Job summary

Relativity Space, based in the United States, seeks a propulsion-focused CFD analyst to contribute to the design and qualification of combustion devices for Terran R. You will perform CFD analyses, review data, and collaborate with hardware teams to guide design decisions.

The role requires a Bachelor's in science/engineering, 2+ years of CFD experience, and proficiency in Python or MATLAB, with a strong background in fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Familiarity with STAR-CCM+ is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering field.
• 2+ years of experience performing computation fluid dynamics analyses (employment, internships, project experience).
• 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 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

Python scripting

MATLAB scripting

Fluid mechanics

Education

Bachelor's degree in science or engineering

Tools

Siemens STAR-CCM+

Job description

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:

• 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
• 2+ years of 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:

$104,000 - $156,000 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.

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail].