Senior Materials & Processes Engineer, Thermal Protection Systems & Soft Goods

Relativity Space, Inc.; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Paid time off

Parental leave

Learning stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space in Long Beach is seeking an experienced Materials & Engineering professional to lead M&P activities for Terran‑R thermal protection systems and non‑metallic softgoods. You will define qualification envelopes, develop test plans, and drive data‑driven improvements across materials and processes.

Candidates bring a strong materials background, 5+ years in relevant roles, and a collaborative mindset to help accelerate design, testing, and reliability for a fast‑paced aerospace

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science or engineering, chemistry, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in materials engineering, M&P, or related roles.
• Strong collaboration and problem-solving in fast-paced aerospace environments.

Responsibilities

• Be the cognizant M&P engineer for Terran-R thermal protection systems and non-metallic softgoods.
• Identify qualification envelopes, design test plans, and execute campaigns.
• Develop and maintain technical specifications and standards.
• Drive statistically-driven experimental design and process improvements.

Skills

Materials science

Engineering

Non-metallic materials

Thermal protection

Education

Bachelor's degree in materials science/engineering

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 Materials and NDE (Non-Destructive Evaluation) team plays a central role in enabling Terran R to fly, re‑fly, and scale: developing, characterizing, and inspecting materials and processes across all parts of the vehicle. From welding and additive manufacturing to advanced composites, the team works at the intersection of innovation and execution, balancing performance and reliability with cost, quality, and schedule. As we move toward first flight and beyond, the challenges become more exciting, offering opportunities to shape how we design and develop for re‑use. With ownership across products, systems, and disciplines, engineers gain broad exposure and drive key decisions across design, manufacturing, and operations.

About the role:

Be the cognizant M&P engineer of thermal protection systems and non‑metallic softgoods for Terran‑R flight and reuse

Identify qualification envelopes, form test plans, execute characterization campaigns, and analyze data for flight qualification and usage

Develop, implement, and maintain technical specifications and engineering standards

Drive statistically‑driven experimental design and process improvement campaigns

Interface with:

• Materials engineers to identify, define, and fill critical technology gaps through Relativity developed + commercially available materials
• Laboratory staff to characterize materials and processes
• Responsible Engineers to support materials selection, design and analysis, qualification, failure analysis, flight, and reuse
• Manufacturing and TPS engineers to develop formulations, processes, troubleshoot issues, and enable cost & rate while maintaining required performance
• Build reliability and supply chain to ensure compliance and reliability
• Relativity + Customer Fracture Control Boards to achieve vehicle reuse
• Leadership to develop technical roadmaps, elevate risks, and overcome roadblocks

About you:

Bachelor’s degree in materials science or engineering, chemistry, or related field

5+ years of experience relevant to the competencies listed below

Leveling is flexible – please see other posting levels for expectations

Experience with general M&P activities, such as material selection, process development, qualification, damage tolerance, inspections, risk assessments, and failure analysis

A core commitment to accountability, collaboration, and execution

A desire to establish and foster strong interdisciplinary relationships across the company

An authentic, introspective, and inclusive mindset towards technical, interpersonal, and team growth and development

Passion to work in a fast‑paced and challenging environment on constantly iterating products + processes, driving impact on the Terran‑R program as we ramp manufacturing rate + achieve reuse

Nice to haves, but not required:

Demonstrated ownership and impact of non‑metallic materials and their application to aerospace products, such as:

• Corks, foams, ceramics, and related thermal protection materials
• Primers, paints, and coatings for corrosion, thermal, and electrical applications
• Potting, staking, and conformal coats
• Elastomeric gaskets and seals
• Polymer‑base material systems for non‑structural and structural applications
• Dry film lubricants and greases
• Understanding of cryogenic and high temperature non‑metallic material behavior
• Prior work with non‑metallic testing standards and procedures
• Familiarity with contamination control and outgassing principles

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:

$124,000 — $186,000 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] .

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.