Friction Stir Welding Technician I, Second Shift

Relativity Space; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 33,764 - 41,217; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% health care coverage on first day

Quarterly wellness stipend

Unlimited onsite snacks

Free lunch on Mondays and Fridays

Annual learning and development stipend

Company Paid Life Insurance

8 Weeks company paid parental leave

Job summary

Relativity Space is seeking a hardworking individual to join our Stage Manufacturing team in Long Beach, California. In this role, you'll assist in friction stir welding (FSW) operations, ensuring high standards of safety and cleanliness while collaborating with engineers and technicians.

This position offers ample growth opportunities, with a focus on building innovative systems that define the future of rocket launch capabilities. A competitive compensation package, with starting salaries ranging from $24.51 to $29.92 per hour, is part of our comprehensive benefits offering.

Qualifications

• Experience with material joining processes like friction stir welding.
• Experience with metal fabrication techniques is necessary.
• Proficient in hand tools and inspection tools.

Responsibilities

• Assist in FSW operations including running equipment and prepping welds.
• Ensure high standards regarding safety and cleanliness.
• Complete standard lift operations or assist in critical lift operation.

Skills

Material joining processes experience (friction stir welding, arc welding)

Metal fabrication techniques (forming, bending)

Proficient in hand tools and inspection tools

Proficient in Microsoft Office or communication tools

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 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 2nd shift position with a standard schedule of 3:00 PM – 1:30 AM PT, Monday through Friday, with a 10% shift differential on top of the base rate. 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 an 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

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: $24.51 - $29.92 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].