Lead, Propulsion Analysis

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

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Parental leave

Annual learning and development stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space in Long Beach, California is seeking an experienced engineering analyst to lead a team responsible for the integration analysis of the Aeon R engine components. You will guide design decisions by ensuring reliability and performance, fostering collaboration with cross-functional teams, and managing projects effectively.

This role requires a Bachelor’s degree and over 5 years of relevant experience, including engineering system analysis and mentorship capabilities. The position offers a competitive salary along with generous benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant analysis experience, preferably with complex engineering systems.
• Experience in mentoring and demonstrated leadership skills.
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis and CAD software.

Responsibilities

• Perform thermal, structural, dynamic, and durability analyses on Aeon-R engines.
• Analyze 3D-printed engine components and their structural integrity.
• Collaborate with mechanical designers and manufacturing engineers.
• Develop and execute tests for development and qualification.

Skills

Finite Element Analysis

Leadership

Detail-oriented

Organized

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, technology or mathematics field

Tools

CAD software

ANSYS Workbench

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

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.

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 Propulsion team at Relativity is focused on developing and delivering highly performant and manufacturable engines for Terran R. Engineers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of their parts, from initial design through production to qualification and flight. The team fosters a culture of bottoms‑up decision‑making, free from technical gatekeeping, where ownership and accountability are key at all levels. But designing engines with a quarter million pounds of thrust is just the beginning. As the flight configuration enters qualification, the team is now exploring modifications for future engines, including thrust upgrades, new cycles, and design for mass production.

About the Role

You will lead a team of analysts that is responsible for the analysis of integrated design hardware, which includes the Aeon R engine’s gimbal, bellows, flex hoses, propellant ducts, manifolds, primary structure, secondary structure, tubing, and more. Your team will own generating interface loads via engine assembly FEA models that drive the sizing of hardware across the entire engine. You will also be a key voice in conversations pertaining to best practices for analysis approaches, acceptable design factors, material allowables, and more. This role requires managing a small team, mentorship, project management, establishing priorities, communicating with leadership, providing technical guidance, and recruiting. Close collaboration with stakeholders within Propulsion Engineering (Combustion Devices, Turbomachinery, and Components) and external to Propulsion Engineering (Materials, Design Criteria) is essential. To be successful, you should thrive in ambiguity and lead projects to completion.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the thermal, structural, dynamic, and durability (fatigue/fracture) analyses on Aeon‑R engines and subsystems to guide design decisions and ensure reliability and performance requirements are met.
• Responsible for the analysis of 3D‑printed engine components, complex mechanical assemblies, and the structural integrity of the fully integrated engine assembly.
• Work hand‑in‑hand with mechanical designers and manufacturing engineers to arrive at optimal solutions for the engine and vehicle programs.
• Develop and execute tests to support development and qualification, including hands‑on work such as test article integration, instrumentation setup, and data processing.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, technology, or mathematics field.
• 5+ years of relevant analysis experience, preferably with complex engineering systems.
• Experience in mentoring and demonstrated leadership skills.
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis and computer aided design (CAD) software.
• Detail‑oriented, organized, and able to follow through with a strong drive to deliver on an ambitious schedule.

Nice to haves, but not required

• Experience in leading high-performing teams.
• Experience with design of liquid propulsion components and systems.
• Experience with Siemens NX, Teamcenter, and ANSYS Workbench.
• Familiarity with industry best practices.
• Familiarity with aerospace standards.

Compensation & Benefits

At Relativity Space, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. Actual compensation will be 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, generous paid time off and sick leave, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more. Hiring Range: $136,000 — $204,000 USD.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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].