Senior Avionics Quality Inspector, First Shift

Relativity Space; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Relativity Space is seeking an experienced PCBA Inspector to ensure quality across avionics assemblies from reception through final inspection. The role focuses on validating solder joints, harnesses, and subassemblies against NASA IPC standards and company policies.

The position requires travel up to 80% to supplier sites, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications. On-site, 1st shift, with a focus on reliability in a growing Terran R program.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a PCBA Inspector in a manufacturing environment and a strong grounding in quality controls.
• Proficiency inspecting solder joints, crimping, conformal coating, staking, and SMDs per NASA 8739 and IPC‑J‑STD‑001 / IPC‑A‑610.
• Knowledge of cable harness inspection per NASA‑STD‑8739.3/8739.4 and IPC‑A‑620.

Responsibilities

• Perform receiving inspections of PCBA and QA checks on avionics assemblies to ensure compliance with standards.
• Travel ~80% to supplier sites for source inspections, audits, and supplier quality support.
• Maintain detailed inspection records and documentation of avionics components and systems.
• Stay current with industry standards, regulations, and best practices related to avionics QA and inspection.
• Provide guidance and training on avionics inspection techniques and procedures.
• Maintain a safe, organized work environment in line with safety regulations.

Skills

PCBA inspection

Avionics QA

NASA IPC standards

DMM continuity testing

Reading drawings

Attention to detail

Quality assurance

Tools

DMM

Portable measuring devices

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 Reliability team at Relativity Space ensures quality is built into every stage of the Terran R design and production process, embedding reliability from the very beginning. The team works directly with design, manufacturing, test, and launch teams to stay close to the hardware, understand constraints, and proactively shape decisions. As the program moves from development into production and scaled operations, this is the time to establish the right processes, controls, and inspections without slowing progress. The team plays a key role in balancing risk, fostering a culture of ownership, and making sure speed never comes at the cost of reliability. Success means creating a quality system that scales with the Terran R program and Relativity as a whole.

This is a 1st shift position with a standard schedule of 5:00AM-3:30PM, Monday through Friday. Please note that this position is structured around a baseline expectation of a 50-hour workweek, which may include occasional overtime as needed to meet operational goals.

About the Role:

• Perform receiving inspections of PCBA and quality assurance checks on avionics systems with its subassembly, components, wire harnesses and installations to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and company policies
• Travel approximately 80% of the time to supplier sites, both locally and domestically, to perform source inspections, conduct audits, and support supplier quality and compliance activities
• Maintain detailed inspection records and documentation to track the status and history of avionics components and systems
• Stay current with industry standards, regulations, and best practices related to avionics quality assurance and inspection processes
• Provide guidance and training to other team members on avionics quality inspection techniques and procedures
• Maintain a safe and organized work environment, always adhering to safety regulations and best practices

About You:

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a PCBA Inspector in a manufacturing environment, preferably in a quality function
• Proficient in inspecting solder joints, crimping, conformal coating, staking, and surface-mounted devices in accordance with NASA 8739 and/or IPC-J-STD-001, IPC-A-610 standards
• Knowledge of cable harness assembly and inspection following NASA-STD-8739.3 and 8739.4 and/or IPC-A-620 standards
• Experienced in conducting continuity test using DMM and inspection using portable measuring devices
• Familiar with avionics systems, components, and installations is essential, with the ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical manuals, and specifications
• A high level of attention to detail is crucial for conducting thorough inspections and ensuring compliance with quality standards and regulations

Nice to haves but not required:

• Well-versed in process development and first-time quality efforts
• Highly organized and able to provide structure and direction to the previously undefined
• Experience leading projects or teams, even if not in a leadership role. Demonstrate the ability to take initiative and drive quality improvement efforts
• Certified or previously certified in IPC-A-620 or IPC-A-610 or J-STD-001

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:

$32.69 — $49.04 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.