Senior Structures Test Engineer

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

Job summary

Relativity Space is seeking a Senior Structures Test Engineer based in Long Beach to own the design, development, and deployment of integrated test infrastructure for structural systems. You’ll lead projects from requirements through operation, ensuring robust, safe, and efficient test capabilities across the factory.

You will work hands-on with hardware, oversee fabrication and commissioning, and collaborate across engineering disciplines to deliver high-impact test solutions in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related engineering field.
• 5+ years designing, analyzing, fabricating, commissioning, or operating mechanical/test systems.
• Experience applying engineering principles across the design lifecycle (requirements, design, fabrication, commissioning, operation).
• 3D modeling and drafting experience, including GD&T, with cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Knowledge of structural analysis from hand calculations to advanced methods.
• Foundational knowledge of structural strength, stability, fatigue, and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Own design and analysis of static/dynamic test stands and associated hardware.
• Develop requirements, system architectures, drawings, approaches, and documentation for fabrication and commissioning.
• Review work to ensure safety, standards, and compliance across disciplines.
• Support assembly, installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and operation of test infrastructure; may involve elevated/work in industrial environments.

Skills

Structure analysis

Test engineering

Project ownership

Hands-on hardware

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical/Aerospace Eng

Tools

3D modeling

GD&T

NASTRAN/ANSYS

Job description

At Relativity Space, we’re building rockets to serve today’s needs and tomorrow’s breakthroughs. OurTerran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launchcapacity. But that’s just the start. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock newopportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress that reaches beyondthe 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. Nowis a unique moment in time where it’s early enough to leave your mark on the product, the process, andthe culture, but far enough along that Terran R is tangible and picking up momentum. The mostmeaningful work of your career is waiting. Join us.

About the Team

The Factory Test team is responsible for a variety of hazardous testing equipment and operations in our Long Beach facilities. We use our breadth of experience and collaborative engineering approach to support everything from very large structural tests to precise valve actuation and complex fluid systems. To that end, we design, build, and operate test assets from initial concept through commissioning and test execution. If you enjoy working on a multi-disciplinary team with a broad mandate, solving challenging engineering problems, and putting your hands on hardware, then this is the team for you.

About the Role

As a Senior Structures Test Engineer, you will apply your technical and project ownership experience for the design, development, and implementation of integrated test infrastructure supporting structural systems. Based in Long Beach, you will own projects across the full engineering lifecycle, from requirements development and design through fabrication, installation, commissioning, and operation.

• Own the design and analysis of static and/or dynamic test stands, supporting structures, pressure systems, and associated mechanical hardware.
• Develop requirements, system architectures, engineering drawings, technical approaches, and documentation required for fabrication, installation, procurement, and commissioning.
• Review technical work and identify and address structural and operational hazards to ensure designs meet applicable requirements, engineering standards, and safety considerations.
• Support assembly, installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and operation of test infrastructure, including hands-on work with hardware in factory and test environments. Work may involve elevated work areas, confined spaces, industrial environments, and outdoor conditions.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related engineering field.
• 5+ years of professional experience designing, analyzing, fabricating, commissioning, or operating mechanical, structural, or test systems.
• Experience applying engineering principles throughout the design lifecycle, including requirements development, design, analysis, fabrication, commissioning, and/or operation of physical hardware.
• Experience with 3D modeling and engineering drafting, including GD&T, and experience collaborating across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Working knowledge of structural analysis and test (from hand calculations to advanced analysis)
• Fundamental knowledge of structures strength, stability and fatigue failure mechanisms, as well as additive and traditional manufacturing processes

Nice to haves but not required

• Experience across both structural engineering and fluid systems, including test stands, hydraulic, pneumatic, cryogenic, pressure, or process fluid systems.
• Experience with ASME B31.3, ASME BPVC, or similar industry codes and standards applicable to pressure systems or process piping.
• Experience with advanced finite element analysis, including nonlinear analysis or dynamic loading, using NASTRAN, ANSYS, or similar tools.
• Hands‑on experience with welding, machining, metalworking, hydraulics, piping, manufacturing, commissioning, or test operations.
• Experience developing engineering standards, design practices, technical review processes, or automated engineering workflows using Python, VBA, or similar tools.
• Experience supporting multidisciplinary engineering projects and test operations in manufacturing, factory, laboratory, or industrial environments, including work that may require elevated work areas, confined spaces, or occasional off‑hours testing.

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.

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.

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.

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