Lead, Manufacturing Engineer, Integration & Test Long Beach, California

Relativity; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 144,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO and sick leave

Parental leave

Annual learning and development stipend

Job summary

Relativity in Long Beach, California, is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Engineer for mechanisms and integrated sub-assemblies. The role involves leading a team to produce flight-ready components and collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize production processes.

Ideal candidates will have over 5 years of experience and a relevant degree. The position offers a competitive salary range of $144,000 - $176,000, generous benefits, and promotes a culture of ownership and impact.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant work experience in engineering.
• Extensive experience in authoring technical documentation for interdisciplinary assemblies.
• Strong understanding of assembly processes across mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of manufacturing engineers to ensure high-quality production.
• Own mechanized assembly for direct build development.
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts to execute build processes efficiently.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Mechanisms manufacturing

Technical leadership

Root cause analysis

Education

BS degree in aerospace, mechanical, or manufacturing engineering

Job description

Lead, Manufacturing Engineer, Mechanisms & Integrated Subassemblies

Long Beach, California

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 and advancing science, exploration, and innovation beyond the known.

Joining Relativity means becoming part of a culture where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. You’ll collaborate across teams, shape decisions, and see your work come to life in record time.

About the Team

The Mechanisms & Integrated Sub-Assemblies Manufacturing team is in the design release and new product introduction phase for Terran R. We collaborate closely with vehicle design, factory test, and production to develop hardware that supports rocket reusability, including pneumatic separation mechanisms, electromechanical actuators, and integrated propulsion/avionics assemblies. We also optimize factory floor layouts and design intricate tooling and processes. Success requires self‑stimulation, thriving in ambiguity, quickly resolving problems, and committing to quality.

About the Role

• Lead and mentor a team of manufacturing engineers building flight‑ready mechanisms and integrated sub‑assemblies, driving scalable, efficient, and high‑quality production processes.
• Own a major mechanized assembly and/or integrated sub‑assembly, contributing directly to build development while guiding team execution from design release through production.
• Coordinate cross‑functional efforts across design, supply chain, and production to execute the build process, covering planning, sourcing strategies, sequencing, mBOM development, tooling, equipment, and work order creation.
• Guide workcenter development with a strategic focus on long‑term goals, safety, capital investment, and tooling, aligning operations with scaling and continuous improvement objectives.
• Provide hands‑on technical leadership to resolve manufacturing challenges, lead root cause analysis, and implement sustainable, efficiency‑driven solutions.
• Manage team priorities, offer technical direction, drive execution, and support professional development of team members.

About You

• 5+ years of relevant work experience and a BS degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing engineering, or a related technical field.
• Extensive experience authoring work instructions, mBOMs, and technical procedures for interdisciplinary assemblies involving mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic systems.
• Proven ability to work cross‑functionally with design, manufacturing, production, and quality teams to execute and optimize build processes.
• Strong understanding of mechanisms manufacturing and integrated assembly processes across mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic systems.
• Experience executing and driving projects in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.

Nice to Haves but Not Required

• Previous experience leading or mentoring engineering teams.
• Experience with scaling manufacturing processes from development through rate production.
• Hands‑on experience with RCCA, assembly testing, tooling design, and/or fabrication.
• Experience in capacity analysis, PFMEA, value stream mapping, and work center/process development.

Compensation is determined by experience and qualifications. We offer competitive salary and equity, generous PTO and sick leave, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more.

Hiring Range: $144,000 - $176,000 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.