Launch Mechanical Engineer II

Relativity Space; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

PTO & Sick leave

Parental leave

Learning stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to lead design projects from concept through implementation, applying solid engineering principles to deliver reliable rocket subsystems. You will develop detailed 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, fluid and electrical schematics, and perform structural and dynamic analyses using hand calculations and FEM.

You’ll present concepts to engineering teams, coordinate with vehicle and ground support groups, and help shape the future of

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or closely related field.
• Minimum of two years of professional engineering experience in structural systems, mechanical design, or fluid power systems.
• Solid understanding of mechanical engineering principles including structural analysis and fluid design.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design projects from concept through implementation using sound engineering principles.
• Coordinate technical requirements with vehicle and ground support engineering teams.
• Develop detailed 3D CAD models, 2D mechanical drawings, fluid and electrical schematics.
• Perform structural, dynamic, and system performance analyses using hand calculations and FEM.
• Present design concepts and updates to engineering and cross-functional teams, focusing on functionality and safety.

Skills

Mechanical design

Structural analysis

Fluid systems

3D CAD

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

FEM

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 Launch team operates at the intersection of every major aspect of Terran R, from stages and payloads to ground systems, launch, landing, and refurbishment. The Cape is the only place where you see it all come together, offering a level of exposure and responsibility unmatched elsewhere in the program. This is where first flights happen, where history is built on top of history, and where the scale of what’s underway is unlike anything in modern aerospace. The mission stays the same, but the work evolves with every milestone: from first launch to reuse, high-cadence operations, and beyond. If you’re looking to define what’s next in space launch and write a new playbook, not just repeat what’s already been done, this is where it happens.

About The Role

• Lead mechanical design projects from concept through implementation using sound engineering principles.
• Coordinate technical requirements with vehicle and ground support engineering teams.
• Develop detailed 3D CAD models, 2D mechanical drawings, fluid system schematics, and electrical system schematics.
• Perform structural, dynamic, and system performance analyses using hand calculations and finite element methods (FEM).
• Present design concepts and project updates to engineering and cross-functional teams, emphasizing functionality, feasibility, and safety.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of two (2) years of professional engineering experience in structural systems, mechanical design, fluid power systems, or related areas.
• Solid understanding of mechanical engineering principles, including structural analysis and fluid systems design.
• Proven ability to deliver high-quality results on schedule, including under challenging or ambiguous conditions.

Nice To Haves, But Not Required

• Experience with launch vehicle interface mechanisms, support tooling, or similar systems.
• Familiarity with applicable NASA, DoD, Space Force, or related industry standards.
• Working knowledge of structural materials, manufacturing methods, and fabrication processes.
• Experience designing complex fluid systems (e.g., high-pressure gas, cryogenic, flammable fluids, or hydraulics).

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

$104,000—$143,000 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].