Lead, Components Engineering

Relativity Space; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 136,000 - 204,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

Annual learning and development stipend

Parental leave

Job summary

Relativity Space in Long Beach, California, seeks an experienced engineering leader to oversee the design and development of fluid control systems, notably valves. This position involves steering projects from conception to fruition while fostering team growth through mentoring and guidance.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in engineering, substantial experience in fluid mechanics, and a track record of managing intricate projects. Relativity offers a competitive salary range and generous benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in fluid control devices or mechanisms design.
• Proven leadership experience in complex interdisciplinary projects.
• Hands-on experience with fluids and structural development testing.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of engineers on valves and accompanying systems.
• Engage in design, development, testing, and production.
• Mentor and recruit engineers while managing projects.

Skills

Project management

Team leadership

Thermodynamics

Fluid dynamics

Structural analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

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 Components team is responsible for all fluid control devices across Terran R, from propulsion to stage systems, enabling a more integrated and informed design approach. Engineers own every aspect of multiple products and integrate with partner teams such as Propulsion, Avionics, and Stage Fluids to ensure their components function seamlessly within the scope of the broader vehicle. With design, manufacturing, and test assets co‑located, you’ll see firsthand how your designs perform and can iterate quickly based on real world data. We’re continuously advancing our products, including developing novel clean‑sheet designs for upcoming vehicle and engine upgrades, while creatively improving existing designs to enhance performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

About the Role:

In this role you will lead a team of engineers working on valves and accompanying systems through design, development, testing, and production. This role involves a range of skillsets: design, analysis (thermodynamics, structures, fluids, electrical), manufacturing, test, project management, communication, and leadership. You will work across teams and departments and take ownership of projects of your creation. To be successful in this role, you should be someone who thrives in ambiguity and be capable of leading highly technical and collaborative projects to completion with minimal oversight. Along with these high expectations, this position will involve recruiting, career development, and mentoring engineers.

About You:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering field
• 5+ years of experience in fluid control devices, valves and/or mechanisms design and analysis
• Proven leadership experience, demonstrated through mentoring, managing complex interdisciplinary projects, supporting continuous improvement of the people around you or participating in growing your team through hiring
• Experience applying engineering fundamentals in thermodynamics, structures, and fluids
• Hands‑on experience with fluids and structural development testing and manufacturing
• Experience with ownership of projects from school or work experience
• Experience leading projects or small teams

Nice to haves but not required:

• 5+ years relevant experience, preferably in a rocket engine development and/or test environment
• Experience with the design and manufacturing process of valves, regulators, and actuators, motors, solenoids
• Experience with design and testing of cryogenic systems and components
• Exposure and knowledge in powder bed additive manufacturing
• We believe varied perspectives & backgrounds strengthen our team. Prior experience in aerospace is not required

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!

Hiring Range: $136,000 — $204,000 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].