Manufacturing Engineer II Hardware

Front Door Defense; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Relativity Space in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer II to develop and implement detailed test plans for integrating and testing flight hardware and systems.

You will collaborate across design, test, and quality teams, support TRRs, characterize test readiness, and drive continuous improvement of test infrastructure in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 4+ years in manufacturing, test engineering, or aerospace process development.
• Hands-on experience supporting hardware builds in development and test environments.
• Familiarity with pressure systems, instrumentation and fluid systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed process plans, work instructions, and work orders for integration and test of flight hardware.
• Collaborate with design and test engineers to provide design-for-test feedback.
• Support test technicians on the floor by troubleshooting issues and implementing corrective actions.
• Coordinate with quality teams to ensure procurement and inspection of test components.
• Conduct Test Readiness Reviews to ensure hardware is test-ready and risks are mitigated.
• Analyze process performance and drive continuous improvement across test campaigns.
• Maintain capacity and demand plans for upcoming test articles and support equipment.

Skills

Hands-on testing experience

Troubleshooting skills

Process development

TRR knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer II

Develop and implement detailed test plans for integrating and testing flight hardware and systems.

Location: Long Beach, California

Compensation: $104,000 - 156,000 USD / year

About The Role

Long Beach, California, United States

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!

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.