Friction Stir Welding Technician I, First Shift

Relativity; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Wellness stipend

Mental health resources

Gym discounts

Free lunch on Mon./Fri.

Learning stipend

PPE Stipend

Life Insurance

Parental leave

One Medical access

Job summary

Relativity Space is hiring for a Stage Manufacturing role in Long Beach, CA. You will assist in running FSW operations, prep welds, and support lift operations on Terran R structures, contributing to a scalable rocket factory.

The team emphasizes collaboration across engineering and manufacturing, with emphasis on safety, cleanliness, and continuous process improvement. Shifts are 5:00am-3:30pm PT, with potential overtime to meet goals.

Qualifications

• Experience with material joining processes (friction stir welding, arc welding, soldering, brazing).
• Experience with metal fabrication techniques (forming, bending).
• Proficient with common hand tools and inspection tools.
• Proficient with MS Office or Slack for team communication.

Responsibilities

• Assist in FSW operations including running equipment and prepping welds.
• Complete standard lift operations or assist in critical lifts.
• Perform precision blending/deburring with power or hand tools.
• Perform in-process inspections using micrometers, calipers, and pi tape.
• Uphold Relativity Space safety and shop cleanliness standards.

Skills

Friction stir welding

Arc welding

Soldering

Brazing

Metal fabrication

Hand tools

Inspection tools

MS Office / Slack

Tools

Micrometers

Calipers

Pi tape

Machining equipment

CNC equipment

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.

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 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.

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

Benefits:

• 100% health care coverage on your first day
• Quarterly wellness stipend to use on health and wellness
• Partnership with Modern Health with access to 8 therapy & coaching sessions and mental health resources
• Discounts on gym memberships, travel and entertainment through PerkSpot
• Unlimited onsite snacks
• Free lunch on Mondays and Fridays
• Annual learning and development stipend
• PPE Stipend
• Pet Insurance through Fetch
• Company Paid Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, and Long Term Disability
• Up to 12 weeks salary continuation for paid pregnancy disability leave
• 8 Weeks company paid parental leave
• Access to One Medical

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, ca