Materials Characterization Technician II, Machine Shop, Second Shift

Socket.dev; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

PTO & sick leave

Parental leave

Learning and development stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space is hiring for a second-shift CNC machinist to operate lathes, mills and EDM machines, ensuring aerospace-grade precision. You will work with CAD/CAM tools, develop CNC programs, and uphold strict standards across the machining lifecycle.

The role emphasizes collaboration with engineering teams, ongoing maintenance, and documented procedures. You should have 2+ years of hands-on machining experience and the ability to interpret engineering drawings.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of hands-on machining experience operating or programming CNC lathes, mills and/or EDM machines.
• Experience in using common inspection tools (calipers, micrometers, dial indicators, etc.).
• Ability to interpret and verify engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications using precision measuring instruments.

Responsibilities

• Operate and program CNC lathes, mills, and wire EDM machines, ensuring precision in machining aerospace metal alloys.
• Utilize CAD software to create and modify designs, implementing CNC programs (G-code) for producing materials test coupons.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and calibrate machining equipment, ensuring compliance with aerospace industry standards.
• Communicate effectively with engineering teams and cross-functional stakeholders to translate project requirements into machining solutions.
• Work collaboratively with teams of varying technical expertise to optimize machining processes and troubleshoot manufacturing challenges.
• Develop and enforce standardized workflows for machine shop operations, including shift hand-offs and documentation of machining procedures.

Skills

Machining experience

CNC programming

Inspection tools

Blueprint interpretation

GD&T knowledge

Tools

CAD/CAM

G-code programming

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 Materials and NDE (Non-Destructive Evaluation) team plays a central role in enabling Terran R to fly, re-fly, and scale: developing, characterizing, and inspecting materials and processes across all parts of the vehicle. From welding and additive manufacturing to advanced composites, the team works at the intersection of innovation and execution, balancing performance and reliability with cost, quality, and schedule. As we move toward first flight and beyond, the challenges become more exciting, offering opportunities to shape how we design and develop for re-use. With ownership across products, systems, and disciplines, engineers gain broad exposure and drive key decisions across design, manufacturing, and operations.

This is a second-shift position with a standard schedule of Monday through Friday, 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. PT.

About the Role:

• Operate and program CNC lathes, mills, and wire EDM machines, ensuring precision in machining aerospace metal alloys
• Utilize CAD software to create and modify designs, implementing CNC programs (G-code) for producing materials test coupons
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and calibrate machining equipment, ensuring compliance with aerospace industry standards
• Communicate effectively with engineering teams and cross‑functional stakeholders to translate project requirements into machining solutions
• Work collaboratively with teams of varying technical expertise to optimize machining processes and troubleshoot manufacturing challenges
• Develop and enforce standardized workflows for machine shop operations, including shift hand-offs and documentation of machining procedures

About You:

• 2+ years of hands‑on machining experience operating or programming CNC lathes, mills and/or EDM machines
• Experience in machine maintenance, troubleshooting, and calibration to ensure optimal performance
• Experience in using common inspection tools (calipers, micrometers, dial indicators, etc.)
• Ability to interpret and verify engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications using precision measuring instruments
• Ability to adapt in fast paced environments

Nice to haves but not required:

• Proficiency in CAD/CAM software and G-code programming
• Solid understanding of machining best practices for aerospace materials
• Strong oral and verbal communication skills
• Strong understanding of tolerancing and measurement techniques in accordance with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) standards

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: $25.80—$38.70 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.