Friction Stir Welding Technician II, Second Shift Long Beach, California

Relativity; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 37,470 - 51,522; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO and sick leave policy

Parental leave

Annual learning and development stipend

Job summary

Relativity is seeking a skilled individual in Long Beach, California to join their Stage Manufacturing team. In this role, you’ll be responsible for friction stir welding operations, including equipment running and weld prep. With a focus on safety and teamwork, you will help shape the future of rocket manufacturing.

Candidates should have at least 2 years of experience in friction stir welding, along with competencies in crane operations and tool use. Relativity offers strong compensation packages, inclusive culture, and dynamic work environments.

Qualifications

• 2+ years’ experience with friction stir welding.
• 1+ year’s experience with crane and rigging operations.
• Proficient in the use of common hand tools and inspection tools.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for FSW operations including running equipment and prepping welds.
• Complete standard lift operations or assist in critical lift operations.
• Perform precision blending/deburring using hand and power tools.
• Conduct in-process inspections using tools like micrometers and calipers.
• Uphold safety and cleanliness standards.
• Foster an inclusive team environment.

Skills

Friction stir welding

Crane and rigging operations

Use of hand tools and inspection tools

Microsoft Office or team communication tools

Job description

Long Beach, California

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.

Shift: 2nd shift, 3:00 PM – 1:30 AM PT, Monday through Friday. The role includes a 10% shift differential added to the base pay. The 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

• Responsible for 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

• 2+ years’ experience with friction stir welding.
• 1+ year’s experience with crane and rigging operations.
• 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 machining equipment (mill, lathe, etc.).
• Experience with running CNC equipment or robotics.
• Experience with NDT operations.
• Previous aerospace experience.

Compensation & Benefits

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 our benefits page.

Hiring Range

$27.20 – $37.40 USD

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.