Senior Avionics Systems Test Engineer, Operations

Relativity Space; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 148,000 - 222,000; Full time

Job summary

Relativity Space in Long Beach is seeking a Senior Avionics Systems Test Engineer, Operations to design, develop, and execute avionics testing strategies for Terran R. You will work closely with the avionics design team to identify issues and build automation to improve efficiency.

This role focuses on system-level integration, test planning, and hands-on verification across vehicle subsystems, with opportunities to influence testbeds, procedures, and flight readiness.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate or graduate degree (BS/MS/PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years experience with integrated systems test, such as flight test, hardware or software design validation, or development of hardware in the loop test platforms
• Understanding of engineering requirements capture and the verification/validation test planning process
• Experience testing, validating, and troubleshooting complex integrated electrical and software systems
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python or MATLAB for data acquisition/recording and analysis

Responsibilities

• Responsible engineer for avionics system-level integration, design validation, test, and operations
• Coordinate test efforts to validate avionics system and subsystem design, including power system validation, fault tolerance and isolation behavior, vehicle network behavior, software validation
• Develop vehicle-level avionics CONOPs, go/no-go criteria, system automation, and operator manuals
• Support the development and operation of Avionics integrated system testbeds
• Support on-console test operations and data review during stage-level tests and launches

Skills

Integrated systems test

Requirements capture & V&V

Testing & troubleshooting

Python or MATLAB scripting

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Electrical/Computer/Aerospace Eng.

Tools

Zuken

NX/Teamcenter

Altium Designer

Ethernet/CAN/UART/SPI protocols

Job description

Senior Avionics Systems Test Engineer, Operations

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 Avionics team is responsible for all aspects of the electrical design on the rocket, from electronics, interconnects, associated mechanical design, testing and initial production. This team's scope includes the flight computers, power systems, RF systems, PCB design, autonomous flight safety systems, and telemetry. This team works on complex electrical systems that require modularity and flexibility, and are critical to the successful launch of Terran R, and beyond!

About the Role:

The Avionics Test & Operations team is responsible for testing avionics hardware and systems across the entire product lifecycle of Terran R: component-, subsystem-, and vehicle-level. As an Avionics Test Engineer at Relativity Space, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and executing avionics testing strategies for our rocket systems. This includes working closely with the avionics design team to identify and troubleshoot any issues, and developing automation and testing infrastructure to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

• Responsible engineer for avionics system-level integration, design validation, test, and operations
• Coordinate test efforts to validate avionics system and subsystem design, including power system validation, fault tolerance and isolation behavior, vehicle network behavior, software validation, etc.
• Develop vehicle-level avionics CONOPs, go/no-go criteria, system automation, and operator manuals
• Support the development and operation of Avionics integrated system testbeds
• Support on-console test operations and data review for the avionics system during stage-level test and launch operations

About You:

• Undergraduate or graduate degree (BS/MS/PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years experience with integrated systems test, such as flight test, hardware or software design validation, or development of hardware in the loop test platforms
• Understanding of engineering requirements capture and the verification/validation test planning process
• Experience testing, validating, and troubleshooting complex integrated electrical and software systems
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python or MATLAB for data acquisition/recording and analysis

Nice to haves but not required:

• Familiarity with wire harness design tools such as Zuken
• Familiarity with CAD tools such as NX and Teamcenter
• Familiarity with a PCB design modeling tool such as Altium Designer
• Familiarity with common communication protocols such as Ethernet, CAN, UART, SPI, etc.

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.

$148,000 - $222,000 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.

As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a “U.S. Person.” The person hired will have access to information and items controlled by the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), and, therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by those regulations or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license. To assist Relativity in assessing its export compliance obligations in relation to your application, please identify which statement best applies to you.