Friction Stir Welding Technician I, First Shift

Relativity Space; City of Long Beach (NY); On-site; USD 31,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and equity

Generous PTO and sick leave

Parental leave

Learning and development stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space is hiring for a 1st shift manufacturing role on the Stage Manufacturing team in the United States. You will help turn designs into the build of Terran R structures, working closely with engineers and technicians to deliver parts on schedule.

Responsibilities include operating weld and machining prep, lift operations, precision blending, and in-process inspections while upholding safety and cleanliness standards. Slack and MS Office are used for team coordination.

Qualifications

• Experience with material joining processes (friction stir welding, arc welding, soldering, brazing, etc).
• Experience with metal fabrication techniques (forming, bending, etc).
• Proficient in the use of common hand tools and inspection tools.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office or other team communication tools such as Slack.

Responsibilities

• Assisting in FSW operations which will include running the equipment, prepping welds for welding, and post weld blending
• Responsible for completing standard lift operations or assisting in critical lift operation
• Perform precision blending/deburring using a combination of standard power tools or hand tools
• Perform in process inspections using hand tools such as micrometers, calipers, and pi tape
• Uphold high Relativity Space standards regarding safety and shop cleanliness
• Foster and inclusive environment for all members of the team

Skills

Welding processes

Metal fabrication

Hand tools

Tools

Microsoft Office

Slack

Job description

At Relativity Space, we’re building rockets to serve today’s needs and tomorrow’s breakthroughs. OurTerran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launchcapacity. But that’s just the start. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock newopportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress that reaches beyondthe 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. Nowis a unique moment in time where it’s early enough to leave your mark on the product, the process, andthe culture, but far enough along that Terran R is tangible and picking up momentum. The mostmeaningful work of your career is waiting. Join us.

About the Team:

The Stage Manufacturing team turns design into reality, owning the build of Terran R’s primary structures. This isn’t about turning the same bolt every day; it’s about building the systems to build the rocket. Engineers and technicians work side by side, with deep collaboration and real-time feedback, to shape how we build better and faster. With a manifest and a launch date, it’s up to the team to deliver on Terran R: solving challenges in real time, optimizing for scale, and constantly improving processes. As the vehicle evolves, so will the factory, with opportunities to apply automation, machine learning, and advanced technologies. What we build here sets the blueprint for the future of scaled launch.

This is a 1st shift position with a standard schedule of 5:00am-3:30pm PT, Monday through Friday. Please note that this position is structured around a baseline expectation of a 50-hour workweek, which may include occasional overtime as needed to meet operational goals.

About the Role:

• Assisting in FSW operations which will include running the equipment, prepping welds for welding, and post weld blending
• Responsible for completing standard lift operations or assisting in critical lift operation
• Perform precision blending/deburring using a combination of standard power tools or hand tools
• Perform in process inspections using hand tools such as micrometers, calipers, and pi tape
• Uphold high Relativity Space standards regarding safety and shop cleanliness
• Foster and inclusive environment for all members of the team

About You:

• Experience with material joining processes (friction stir welding, arc welding, soldering, brazing, etc)
• Experience with metal fabrication techniques (forming, bending, etc)
• Proficient in the use of common hand tools and inspection tools
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office or other team communication tools such as Slack (or equivalent)

Nice to haves but not required:

• Experience with rigging and crane operations
• Experience with machining equipment (mill, lathe, etc)
• Experience with running CNC equipment or robotics
• Familiarity with NDT operations

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:

$22.80—$31.35 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].

Please note: Relativity Space does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate profiles, or referrals from recruitment agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited submission - via email, our website, social media, or directly to an employee - will be deemed the property of Relativity Space, and no fee will be owed absent a current, fully executed agreement with Talent Acquisition that specifically authorizes submissions for the applicable role.