Senior Avionics Test Engineer

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

Job summary

Relativity Space is seeking an Avionics Test Engineer to design and execute testing strategies for the Terran R avionics systems. You will collaborate with hardware and software teams to define requirements and develop automation infrastructure, ensuring robust verification across the product lifecycle.

The role emphasizes developing qualification frameworks, test equipment, and detailed test plans, with opportunities to impact both the rocket and the testing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Aerospace Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience with electronics hardware simulation or test.
• Familiarity with data acquisition/control platforms such as NI/Beckhoff.
• Experience using electronics test equipment (power supplies, DMMs, oscilloscopes, signal generators, loads).
• Familiarity with common protocols such as Ethernet, CAN, UART, SPI.

Responsibilities

• Develop frameworks and infrastructure for qualification and acceptance testing of Avionics components on Terran R.
• Design equipment to facilitate avionics testing: circuits, test fixtures, enclosures, harnesses.
• Collaborate with hardware and software engineers to derive test requirements and methods.
• Create and maintain test plans and procedures for avionics systems.
• Integrate, commission, and operate test rack hardware and software for component- and system-level testing.

Skills

Electronics testing

Data acquisition

Test automation

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

MS in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Tools

NI

Beckhoff

Oscilloscopes

Altium Designer

CAN UART SPI

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 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.

About The Role:

• Develop frameworks and infrastructure to conduct qualification and acceptance testing of Avionics components on the Terran R launch vehicle
• Design equipment to facilitate Avionics component testing: simulation circuits, auxiliary test equipment, test harnesses, mechanical fixtures and enclosures, and system validation tools
• Work with hardware design engineers and software engineers to derive test requirements and methodologies
• Create and maintain test plans and procedures for avionics systems
• Integrate, commission, and operate test rack hardware and software to support component- and system-level functional testing

About You:

• Undergraduate or graduate degree (BS/MS/PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• +5 years of experience with electronics hardware simulation or test
• Familiarity with data acquisition and control system platforms such as NI, Beckhoff, or similar
• Experience working with electronics test equipment such as power supplies, DMMs, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and electronic loads
• Familiarity with common communication protocols such as Ethernet, CAN, UART, SPI, etc.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Nice to haves, but not required:

• Experience with a schematic capture & PCB design tool such as Altium Designer
• Experience with analog sensors such as pressure transducers, RTDs, and accelerometers
• Familiarity with embedded software development and integration for avionics systems
• Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python or MATLAB for data acquisition/recording and analysis
• Familiarity with wire harness design
• Familiarity with CAD tools such as NX

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.