Manufacturing Engineer I, Composites

Relativity Space, Inc.; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO & sick leave

Parental leave

Learning stipend

Equity

Job summary

Relativity Space, Inc. is hiring for a manufacturing role focused on producing Terran R composite assemblies from design to launch integration.

You will collaborate with design engineering and suppliers to scale production while maintaining quality and process discipline. The role emphasizes internal process development for composites, lamination and bonding, and close teamwork with engineering, shop floor, and external partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering with 1–2 years progressive and related work experience.
• 3D & 2D design/drafting experience per ASME Y14.5M (NX preferred).
• Excellent interpersonal skills to interface with engineering and manufacturing groups to improve manufacturability.
• Experience with composites manufacturing, autoclave, bonding, trimming, drilling, or related processes is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the manufacture of composite assemblies for Terran R from design release through installation on the launch vehicle; partner with design engineering and suppliers to scale production.
• Drive development of internal processes for composite manufacturing including lamination, trimming, drilling, surface prep, adhesive bonding, mechanical assembly, grounding and repair to ensure quality and compliance.
• Drive first build efforts and improve product lines through design integration, sequencing, mBOM development, build work order creation, and specification authoring.
• Support shop floor and production personnel with issue resolution and upstream feedback as manufacturing technology evolves.
• Develop strong working relationships with Engineering, Build Reliability, Supply Chain, and external partners to meet company objectives.

Skills

3D design

2D drafting

ASME Y14.5M

NX CAD

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

NX CAD

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 Manufacturing team owns all process development, fabrication strategy, and production equipment for Terran R, our next generation, reusable rocket. This team has a wide variety of responsibilities – from factory floor layout, to developing complex tooling for novel processes, and interfacing with our vehicle engineering team to heavily influence design of the rocket. We leverage our deep expertise to translate engineering requirements into highly optimized production lines, working cross functionally to consistently enhance the vehicle program.

About the Role:

• Own the manufacture of composite assemblies for Terran R from design release through successful installation onto the launch vehicle — partner with design engineering and critical suppliers to develop a manufacturable product, capable of scaling production rate with time
• Drive development of internal processes for composite manufacturing, including lamination, trimming, drilling, surface preparation, adhesive bonding, mechanical assembly, grounding and repair to ensure consistent quality and compliance with design requirements and industry best practices
• Drive first build efforts and improve existing product lines through design integration, assembly sequencing, mBOM development, build work order creation, and specification authoring
• Support the shop floor and production personnel through responsive issue resolution and provide upstream feedback as we innovate the next generation of manufacturing technology
• Develop strong working relationships with Engineering, Build Reliability, Supply Chain, and external partners to ensure all company objectives can be met

About You:

• Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical, mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline with 1-2 years progressive and related work experience
• 3D & 2D design/drafting working experience per ASME Y14.5M (NX preferred)
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interface with engineering and manufacturing groups to understand process constraints and provide design inputs for improved manufacturability
• Working experience with at least 2 of the following processes: composites manufacturing, autoclave or OOA processing, adhesive bonding, trim and drill operations, machining, mechanical fastening and torquing operations, critical lifting, tool design and fabrication, work center development
• Ability to perform trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals
• Highly self-motivated and able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment

Nice to haves, but not required:

• New product introduction of an aerospace hardware product or process with proven success
• Experience in managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Working knowledge of typical manufacturing execution systems and quality management systems
• Master’s degree in engineering or related technical discipline

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:

$90,000 - $136,000 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.