Instrumentation and Controls Engineer I (Operations)

Relativity Space; Mississippi; On-site; USD 90,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO and sick leave policy

Parental leave

Annual learning and development stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space in Mississippi is looking for an Electrical Engineer to design and test hardware for the Terran R rocket test stands. The chosen candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams, integrate sophisticated electrical systems, and ensure flight readiness of rocket components.

This role does not require prior aerospace experience, making it suitable for recent graduates. Successful applicants will enjoy a competitive salary package along with additional benefits including parental leave and a generous PTO policy.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated capability in completing complex projects on time.
• No previous aerospace experience required.
• Experience with data and control systems (SCADA, PLC’s, etc.) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and test acquisition hardware for rocket test stands.
• Collaborate with engineers and technicians to support projects.
• Maintain electrical systems in hazardous areas.

Skills

Electrical engineering fundamentals

Knowledge of Beckhoff PLCs

Experience with sensors and actuators

Collaboration with cross-functional teams

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

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 Stennis Test team designs, builds, and operates Relativity’s propulsion and stage test stands. Team members are hands‑on with large‑scale, complex systems including fully integrated engines and stage assemblies, pushing hardware to the limits and directly contributing to flight readiness. The work is fast‑paced and highly operational, ideal for those with backgrounds in aviation, automotive, manufacturing, offshore operations, industrial systems, construction, or adjacent industries. You’ll work in a close‑knit, dynamic environment where collaboration between technicians, operators, and engineers is not only encouraged, but expected. As the company scales, the Stennis Test team becomes even more critical to unlocking our next phase of growth: proving out full‑stage systems and paving the way for routine, reliable flights of Terran R.

About the Role:

• Design, integrate, and test acquisition hardware, instrumentation, and cameras used to support and control our Terran R rocket test stands
• Must have knowledge of Beckhoff PLCs or similar
• Experience with pressure, temperatures, flow, level, accelerometers, solenoid valves, VFDs, heaters, etc.
• Experience with IP, SDI, and CoaXPress cameras
• Design and maintain electrical systems for use in hazardous areas
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams of engineers and technicians to support and execute projects.

About You:

• Bachelors in either Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other related engineering discipline
• Demonstrated electrical engineering fundamental knowledge.
• Demonstrated capability in completing a complex project, coordinating with others and meeting deadlines.
• No previous aerospace experience is required.

Nice to haves but not required:

• Familiarity with data and control systems (SCADA, PLC’s, NI, Beckhoff, etc.)
• Familiar with integrating sensors and actuators such as pressure transducers, RTDs, strain gages, thermocouples, solenoid valves, accelerometers, microphones, etc.
• Familiar with communications methods such as Ethernet, EtherCAT, CAN, and Modbus.
• Experience using AutoCAD Electrical.

Successful candidates must clear a background check administered by the US government to obtain clearance for on‑site work at our government partner location in Stennis, Mississippi.

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: $90,000 — $136,000 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].