Lead Engineer, Avionics Test Engineering

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

Job summary

Relativity Space is seeking a leader for the Avionics Test team to own the design, development, and deployment of automated test systems for Terran R electronics.

You will collaborate with cross‑functional hardware and software teams to build manufacturing test assets, while coaching engineers in best practices and maintaining a high‑performance culture. This role requires strong background in electronics testing and production experience.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in EE/CE/CS/Aerospace or related field.
• 5+ years in electronics hardware testing, automation, or simulation.
• Experience leading test engineers and teams in production environments.
• Experience with complex test system design for motor drives and HV electronics.
• Experience with environmental qualification testing (vibration, thermal, EMI/EMC).

Responsibilities

• Lead a portion of the Avionics Test team, owning design and implementation of automated test systems for Terran R electronics.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional hardware and software design teams to create manufacturing test assets.
• Mentor engineers in best practices and foster collaboration and high performance.

Skills

Electronics testing

Test automation

Team leadership

Vibration testing

High voltage design

Education

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

Tools

Altium Designer

NX CAD

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 a leader of a portion of the Avionics Test team, you will manage a team of test engineers owning the design, development and implementation of fully automated test systems supporting the production of Terran R electronics
• You will work with cross-functional partner hardware and software design teams in support of creating manufacturing test assets to complete acceptance and qualification testing
• A strong candidate for the role will have a deep technical background in electronics testing and will coach individual engineers in technical and non-technical best practices while fostering a culture of collaboration and high-performance

About You

• Undergraduate or graduate degree (BS/MS/PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience with electronics hardware simulation, automation, and/or test
• Experience leading engineers in best-practices and domain-specific technical principles
• Experience with ownership of complex test system design for motor drives, DC-DC converters, load switches, high voltage DC electronics, and/or high voltage energy storage
• Experience in strategic planning, design, development, debugging, and maintenance of test systems in a production environment
• Experience with environmental and qualification testing, including vibration, thermal, shock, and EMI/EMC validation

Nice To Haves But Not Required

• Experience with a schematic capture & PCB design tool such as Altium Designer
• Experience with analog sensors such as pressure transducers, RTDs, and accelerometers
• Experience with embedded software development and integration for avionics systems
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python or MATLAB for data acquisition/recording and analysis
• Experience with wire harness design
• Familiarity with CAD tools such as NX

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].