Manufacturing Engineer II

Socket.dev; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

PTO & sick leave

Learning stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space is hiring for a Factory Test Engineer in Long Beach, CA. You will develop detailed process plans and work orders for integrating and testing flight hardware, including propulsion components and instrumentation, while collaborating with design and test engineers to ensure testability and robustness.

You will support technicians on the floor, resolve non-conformances in real time, and participate in TRRs to mitigate risks before testing. A hands-on, fast-paced environment awaits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 4+ years in aerospace manufacturing, test engineering, or process development.
• Hands-on hardware build support in development/test environments.
• Experience with pressure systems, instrumentation, and fluid assembly.
• Experience with work instructions and test plans.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed process plans, work instructions, and work orders for the integration and test of flight hardware, including propulsion components, structural assemblies, fluid systems, and instrumentation.
• Collaborate with design and test engineers to provide design for testability feedback, ensuring hardware is robust and efficient in the test environment.
• Support test technicians and test specialists on the floor by troubleshooting issues, resolving non-conformances, and implementing corrective actions in real time.
• Coordinate with quality teams to ensure timely procurement and inspection of critical test components and verify all required calibrated equipment is in-date, documented on the work order, and available at time of use.
• Conduct Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) to ensure all hardware is test-ready and risks are mitigated prior to test execution.
• Analyze process performance, test timelines, and drive continuous improvement across test campaigns.
• Maintain capacity and demand plans for upcoming test articles and support equipment.

Skills

Hands-on testing

Test engineering

Process development

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Fluid schematics

PLM/ERP systems

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 Factory Test team designs, builds, and operates the infrastructure needed to test nearly every part of Terran R right here at our headquarters in Long Beach, CA. This centralized approach provides engineers and technicians with exposure to the entire product lifecycle across a wide range of part sizes and complexities. The scope and scale are significant, with test stands capable of handling millions of pounds of force. Team members lead multiple projects in parallel, avoiding silos and gaining broad technical experience without needing a background in aerospace. With high-impact campaigns ahead, including thrust structure and stage 2 testing, now is the time to join. You won’t just execute, but you’ll help shape and scale the test infrastructure required to meet the demands of a rapidly growing launch program.

About the Role:

• Develop detailed process plans, work instructions, and work orders for the integration and test of flight hardware, including propulsion components, structural assemblies, fluid systems, and instrumentation.
• Collaborate with design and test engineers to provide design for testability feedback, ensuring hardware is robust and efficient in the test environment.
• Support test technicians and test specialists on the floor by troubleshooting issues, resolving non-conformances, and implementing corrective actions in real time.
• Coordinate with quality teams to ensure timely procurement and inspection of critical test components and verify all required calibrated equipment is in-date, documented on the work order, and available at time of use.
• Conduct Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) to ensure all hardware is test-ready and risks are mitigated prior to test execution.
• Analyze process performance, test timelines, and drive continuous improvement across test campaigns.
• Maintain capacity and demand plans for upcoming test articles and support equipment.

About You:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 4+ years of experience in manufacturing, test engineering, or process development for aerospace hardware.
• Hands-on experience supporting hardware builds in development and test environments.
• Familiarity with pressure systems, instrumentation, and fluid system assembly.
• Experience with manufacturing documentation including work instructions, test plans.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, hands-on environments with shifting priorities.

Nice to Haves But Not Required:

• Experience supporting ATP, development, or qualification test campaigns.
• Familiarity with high-pressure fluid systems, cryogenic hardware, or propulsion test equipment.
• Experience with CAD tools (e.g., NX, SolidWorks) and fluid schematics for system layout and planning.
• Familiarity with PLM and ERP systems for tracking hardware and managing workflow.
• Understanding of AS9100 or ISO9001 quality management systems.

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:

$104,000 — $156,000 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].

Please note: Relativity Space does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate profiles, or referrals from recruitment agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited submission - via email, our website, social media, or directly to an employee - will be deemed the property of Relativity Space, and no fee will be owed absent a current, fully executed agreement with Talent Acquisition that specifically authorizes submissions for the applicable role.