Propulsion Structural Engineer I, Combustion Devices

Segment (Twilio); Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO & sick leave

Parental leave

Learning stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space in Long Beach is seeking an engineer to support the design and qualification of Aeon‑R combustion device hardware across concept to flight, including high‑fidelity modeling and risk assessment.

You will perform hand calculations and FEM analyses, collaborate with hardware designers to meet performance and safety targets, and help define test objectives to validate analytical models.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering field.
• 1+ years of relevant experience in structural analysis or structural modeling.
• Experience applying engineering first principles in structural mechanics (beam bending, pressure vessels, buckling).
• Experience applying engineering first principles in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics.
• Familiarity with structural analysis packages (ANSYS, FEMAP, NASTRAN, ABAQUS).
• Experience with ANSYS Mechanical.
• Graduate degree in engineering or science.
• Relevant experience in rocket engine development and/or test environment.
• Working knowledge of engine subsystems, such as combustion devices.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and qualification of Aeon‑R combustion device hardware throughout the development cycle, including high‑fidelity modeling, test data analysis, model anchoring, and risk assessment.
• Perform hand calculations and FEM analysis to achieve structural closure, including static structural, thermal, fatigue, and damage‑tolerance analyses.
• Interface with hardware designers to influence design decisions to ensure hardware meets performance and safety requirements.
• Define test objectives that validate analytical models and verify hardware performance.

Skills

Structural analysis

FEM analysis

ANSYS

Thermodynamics

Heat transfer

Fluid mechanics

Buckling

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or science

Graduate degree in engineering or science

Tools

ANSYS Mechanical

FEMAP

NASTRAN

ABAQUS

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. 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 an organization 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.

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About the Team

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The Propulsion team at Relativity is focused on developing and delivering highly performant and manufacturable engines for Terran‑R. Engineers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of their parts, from initial design through production to qualification and flight. The team fosters a culture of bottoms‑up decision‑making, free from technical gatekeeping, where ownership and accountability are key at all levels. Designing engines with a quarter‑million pounds of thrust is just the beginning. As the flight configuration enters qualification, the team is now exploring modifications for future engines, including thrust upgrades, new cycles, and design for mass production.

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About the Role

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Support the design and qualification of Aeon‑R combustion devices hardware throughout the entire development cycle, from initial concept through detailed design, testing, and flight, including high‑fidelity modeling, test data analysis, model anchoring, and risk assessment.

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Responsibilities

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• Support the design and qualification of Aeon‑R combustion device hardware throughout the entire development cycle, from initial concept through detailed design, testing, and flight, including high‑fidelity modeling, test data analysis, model anchoring, and risk assessment.
\
• Perform hand calculations and FEM analysis to achieve structural closure, including static structural, thermal, fatigue, and damage‑tolerance analyses.
\
• Interface with hardware designers to influence design decisions to ensure hardware meets performance and safety requirements.
\
• Define test objectives that validate analytical models and verify hardware performance.
\

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Qualifications

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• Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering field.
\
• 1 or more years of relevant experience in structural analysis or structural modeling.
\
• Experience applying engineering first principles in structural mechanics (beam bending, pressure vessels, buckling, etc.).
\
• Experience applying engineering first principles in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics.
\
• Familiarity with structural analysis packages (ANSYS, FEMAP, NASTRAN, ABAQUAS, etc.).
\
• Experience with ANSYS Mechanical.
\
• Graduate degree in engineering or science.
\
• Relevant experience in rocket engine development and/or test environment.
\
• Working knowledge of engine subsystems, such as combustion devices.
\

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Compensation & Benefits

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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! Compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job‑related factors. Hiring Range: $90,000—$136,000 USD. For more information, please visit here.

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EEO Statement

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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].