Lead, Manufacturing Test Engineer Long Beach, California

Relativity; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 181,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO and sick leave policy

Parental leave

Annual learning and development stipend

Job summary

A leading aerospace manufacturer is seeking a Test Engineering Manager to oversee the production testing campaigns for their Terran R vehicle. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in engineering and over 3 years of experience with complex test systems, focusing on high-pressure pneumatic and electrical systems. The role demands strong leadership and problem-solving skills, with responsibilities that include managing a team and designing efficient test processes. Offering competitive salary and benefits, this position is based in Long Beach, California.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant technical experience authoring and executing test plans.
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals in fluid and electrical engineering.
• Self-starter who can define and implement new processes collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Design and commission new test assets and systems.
• Manage a team of test engineers for production testing campaigns.
• Analyze data to evaluate assembly performance.

Skills

Test plans and procedures

Complex high-pressure pneumatic systems

High-voltage electrical systems

Root cause analysis

Safety standards

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Multimeters

Oscilloscopes

Pressure regulators

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. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock new opportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress that reaches beyond the known.

About the Team

The Stage Manufacturing team turns design into reality, owning the build of Terran R’s primary structures. Engineers and technicians work side by side, with deep collaboration and real‑time feedback, to shape how we build better and faster. With a manifest and a launch date, it’s up to the team to deliver on Terran R: solving challenges in real time, optimizing for scale, and constantly improving processes. As the vehicle evolves, so will the factory, with opportunities to apply automation, machine‑learning, and advanced technologies.

About the Role

• Design and commission new test assets and systems to unlock new test capabilities or enhance existing ones while working closely with design and manufacturing partners to ensure the successful execution of production testing campaigns that are both efficient and scalable over time.
• Manage a team of test engineers that serve all major products of the Vehicle Integration and Test scope. End‑to‑end problem ownership and handling of GSE to develop test systems that scale for production.
• Author and optimize test sequences, plans, procedures, and operational processes to support first‑article development and transition into high‑volume production.
• Analyze data to evaluate assembly performance and disposition recurring testing discrepancies and support multi‑disciplinary teams on root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Define and standardize operational requirements and processes to improve safety, data quality, and test repeatability.
• Provide hands‑on support to the shop floor and production personnel, rapidly addressing any test issues that arise and offering upstream feedback to drive design for manufacturability, testability or reparability.

About You

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering; or other related discipline.
• 3+ years of relevant technical experience, including (but not limited to): authoring and executing test plans and procedures on complex high-pressure pneumatic and high-voltage electrical systems; high-pressure pneumatic leak checks, sensor checkouts, high-voltage electrical system checkouts, integrated system testing; designing and commissioning pneumatic and electrical test equipment; leading failure and anomaly investigations, resolving non-conformances, and driving root cause analysis with corrective actions implemented effectively.
• Strong understanding of and ability to apply engineering fundamentals in fluid, thermal, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
• Demonstrated knowledge of safety standards, common test hazards, and appropriate mitigations.
• Self-starter who can define and roll out new processes from concept through implementation, working collaboratively with technicians, engineers, and external vendors.

Nice to haves but not required

• Experience in a fast‑paced and lean environment, including direct vendor engagement, tool development, or leading a small team through an ambiguous build or test effort.
• Familiarity with industry test standards: e.g., SMC‑S‑016, MIL‑STD‑1540D, and MIL‑STD‑810G.
• Knowledge of launch vehicle components such as regulators, check valves, orifices, and electromechanical and pneumatically actuated valves.
• Experience with test automation, data acquisition and control systems, electrical test equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, multimeters, etc.), pneumatic test equipment (e.g., pressure regulators, flow meters, etc.).

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: $132,000 - $181,500 USD

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.