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 an Avionics Test Engineer to design, develop, and execute avionics testing strategies for the Terran R rocket. You will work closely with the avionics design team to identify issues and drive automation to improve efficiency.

This role covers system-level integration, testbed operations, and on-console data review during stage tests and launches, with opportunities to shape procedures, go/no-go criteria, and vehicle health monitoring.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in EE, CE, CS, AE or related field.
• 5+ years in integrated systems test, flight test, or validation.
• Experience with verification and validation planning.
• Experience with complex electrical and software systems.
• Python or MATLAB for data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead avionics system integration, validation, testing, and operations.
• Coordinate tests to validate power, fault tolerance, network, and software.
• Develop CONOPs, go/no-go criteria, automation, and manuals.
• Support avionics testbeds development and operation.
• Assist on-console tests and data review during stage tests and launches.

Skills

Integrated systems test

Python or MATLAB

Education

BS/MS/PhD in EE/CE/CS/AE

Tools

Zuken

NX

Teamcenter

Altium Designer

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 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.

Hiring Range

$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.

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail].