Lead Avionics Test Systems Engineer, Ground Systems

InvestedintheMission; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 151,000 - 227,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

PTO & sick leave

Parental leave

Annual learning & development stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space is seeking a Lead Avionics Test Systems Engineer, Ground Systems to design, build, and validate critical ground systems for engine testing, vehicle integration, and launch operations. You will work with propulsion, avionics, software, and operations to deliver robust systems on aggressive timelines.

The role requires hands‑on experience with signal integrity, power systems, and data acquisition, using NI/Beckhoff platforms. Expect ownership across the avionics ground segment.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years designing and deploying test/electrical integration systems in aerospace/high‑reliability environments.
• Expert knowledge of electrical signal integrity, grounding schemes, shielding, and power systems.
• Hands‑on experience designing, building, and commissioning electrical ground systems.
• Experience with Ethernet, RS‑422, CAN, MIL‑STD‑1553 and ground systems standards (ASME, API, NASA/AF).
• Experience with data acquisition and safety control platforms such as NI, Beckhoff, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, build, and integrate critical ground systems supporting engine test, vehicle integration, and launch operations.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with vehicle, propulsion, avionics, software, test, and operations teams to deliver robust, scalable systems on tight timelines.
• Oversee fabrication, bring‑up, and validation of test systems, including electrical testing, calibration, and functional checks.
• Author ICDs and release drawings to ensure alignment between ground support equipment and flight/avionics hardware.
• Work with safety, operations, and launch teams to ensure systems are compliant and operable under high‑stakes conditions.

Skills

Electrical signal integrity

Grounding & shielding

Power systems

Network protocols

Data acquisition

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Electrical/Computer/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NI

Beckhoff

Zuken

NX

Teamcenter

Altium Designer

Python

MATLAB

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 Avionics team is responsible for the full lifecycle of Terran R’s nervous system, designing, building, testing, installing, and operating the hardware that connects and controls every major electrical system on the vehicle and ground.

The team’s structure intentionally combines avionics design, manufacturing, and test to enable rapid iteration and feedback loops. Engineers are deeply embedded into other functions within Relativity, working closely with propulsion, GNC, fluids, and stage engineering teams to ensure seamless integration and operation. Now is a unique time to join: you’ll get to help shape Terran R's fundamental avionics architecture and be given a high degree of ownership on components that will fly.

About the Role:

As an Lead Avionics Test Systems Engineer, Ground Systems you will:

• Lead design, development, build, and integrate critical ground systems that support engine test, vehicle integration, and launch operations
• Collaborate cross-functionally with vehicle, propulsion, avionics, software, test, and operations teams to deliver robust, scalable systems on tight timelines
• Oversee fabrication, bring-up, and validation of test systems, including electrical testing, calibration, and functional checks
• Author interface control documents (ICDs) and engineering release drawings to ensure tight alignment between electrical ground support equipment and flight/avionics hardware
• Work closely with safety, operations, and launch teams to ensure systems are compliant and operable under high-stakes conditions

About You:

• Undergraduate or graduate degree (BS/MS/PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience designing and deploying test systems or electrical integration systems in aerospace or high‑reliability environments
• Expert knowledge of electrical signal integrity, grounding schemes, shielding, and power systems
• Hands‑on experience designing, building, and commissioning electrical power and communication ground systems
• Experience with common communication protocols (e.g., Ethernet, RS‑422, CAN, MIL‑STD‑1553) and ground systems standards (ASME, API, and NASA/AF)
• Experience with data acquisition and safety control system platforms such as NI, Beckhoff, or similar

Nice to haves but not required:

• Experience with wire harness design tools such as Zuken
• Experience with CAD tools such as NX and Teamcenter
• Familiarity with a PCB design modeling tool such as Altium Designer
• Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python or MATLAB for data acquisition/recording and analysis
• Experience with Linux configuration management and ethernet networking
• Familiarity with data acquisition and control system platforms such as NI, Beckhoff, or similar

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:

$151,000 — $227,000 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].