Materials & Processes Technical Specialist II

Relativity Space; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 52,348 - 79,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO and sick leave

Parental leave

Annual learning stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space is hiring for a senior materials role in Long Beach, CA. You will support lab operations, troubleshoot material processing challenges, and mentor junior teammates while helping drive the Terran R program.

The role spans welding, machining, composites, and high-temperature materials, with opportunities to influence design and manufacturing choices. You will work across teams to ensure quality, safety, and timely execution, contributing to a growing, innovative space manufacturing

Qualifications

• 5+ years hands-on experience in aerospace high temperature materials processing and testing.
• Self-starter with quick learning ability and problem solving mindset.
• Proficient in operating machine tooling to fabricate test samples and hardware parts.
• Skilled in composite panel layup fabrication and surface prep techniques.
• Experienced in advanced heatshield composite processing and machining.

Responsibilities

• Support core lab operations including M&P prototyping, test coupon design and fabrication, and test development and documentation.
• Serve as the SME for troubleshooting material processing, machining, and testing challenges.
• Share hands-on knowledge to drive problem resolution across the team.
• Mentor and train new team members on skills, processes, and standards of execution.
• Advise the program manager on day-to-day lab operations.
• Contribute to the Materials Discovery team to ensure mission success.

Skills

Aerospace materials processing

Machining operations

Composite panel layup

Advanced heatshield processing

Self-starter

Associate degree in natural science or

Education

Associate’s Degree in Natural Science or Materials

Tools

CNC mills

Lathes

Drill presses

Sanding tools

Job description

At Relativity Space, we’re building rockets to serve today’s needs and tomorrow’s breakthroughs. OurTerran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launchcapacity. But that’s just the start. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock newopportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress that reaches beyondthe 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. Nowis a unique moment in time where it’s early enough to leave your mark on the product, the process, andthe culture, but far enough along that Terran R is tangible and picking up momentum. The mostmeaningful 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.

About the Role:

• Support core lab operations including M&P prototyping, test coupon design and fabrication, and test development and documentation
• Serve as the subject matter expert for troubleshooting challenges related to material processing, machining, and testing
• Share hands-on knowledge and deep technical insights to drive problem resolution across the team
• Mentor and train new team members on skills, processes, and standards of execution
• Advise and assist the program manager on day-to-day lab operations
• Contribute as a member of the Materials Discovery team to ensure overall mission success

About You:

• An Associate’s Degree in Natural Science, Materials, or related field
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience in aerospace high temperature materials processing and testing
• Self‑starter with a strong ability to learn quickly and a passion for solving complex technical problems
• Proficient in operating machine tooling to fabricate complex test samples and hardware parts, including CNC mills (Prototrack), lathes, vertical saws, drill presses, shears, and sandblasters, as well as hand‑powered tools such as dremels, grinders, and sanders
• Skilled in composite panel layup fabrication and surface preparation techniques
• Experienced in advanced heatshield composite processing and machining

Nice to haves but not required:

• Skilled in designing 3D drawings prototypes (DXF and STF files), SPACECLAIM design, AutoCAD, NX, Team Center and Warp Drive, RTD installation, surface prepping, Microsoft Office, Excel, Bilingual, forklift operator
• Capable of operating thermal, mechanical and chemical testing instruments such as DSC, LFA, TGA, Dilatometer and Instron load frames to perform high precision testing

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:

$38.40—$57.60 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].