Sr Avionics Test Systems Engineer, Ground Systems Long Beach, California

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

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Generous PTO and sick leave

Parental leave

Learning stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space in Long Beach, CA, is seeking a Sr Avionics Test Systems Engineer, Ground Systems to lead the design, deployment, and integration of critical ground systems supporting engine test, vehicle integration, and launch operations. You will work cross‑functionally across avionics, propulsion, software, and test teams to deliver robust, scalable systems on tight timelines.

The role emphasizes hands‑on design and ownership of electrical and mechanical ground interfaces, with

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience designing and deploying test systems or electrical integration systems in aerospace or high-reliability environments.
• Strong knowledge of electrical signal integrity, grounding schemes, shielding, and power systems.
• Hands-on experience designing, building, and commissioning electromechanical ground systems.
• Familiarity with data acquisition and control system platforms such as NI, Beckhoff, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, build, and integrate critical ground systems that support engine test, vehicle integration, and launch operations.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with vehicle, propulsion, avionics, software, test, and operations teams to deliver robust, scalable systems on tight timelines.
• Oversee fabrication, bring-up, and validation of test systems, including electrical testing, calibration, and functional checks.
• Author interface control documents (ICDs) and engineering release drawings to ensure tight alignment between electrical ground support equipment and flight/avionics hardware.
• Work closely with safety, operations, and launch teams to ensure systems are compliant and operable under high‑stakes conditions.

Skills

Electrical design

Test systems

Ground systems

Signal integrity

Electromechanical

ICD documentation

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Electrical/Computer/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NI

Beckhoff

NX

Teamcenter

Zuken

Altium Designer

Job description

Sr Avionics Test Systems Engineer, Ground Systems

Long Beach, California

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 the full lifecycle of Terran R’s nervous system, designing, building, testing, installing, and operating the hardware that connects and controls every major electrical system on the vehicle and ground.

The team’s structure intentionally combines avionics design, manufacturing, and test to enable rapid iteration and feedback loops. Engineers are deeply embedded into other functions within Relativity, working closely with propulsion, GNC, fluids, and stage engineering teams to ensure seamless integration and operation. Now is a unique time to join: you’ll get to help shape Terran R's fundamental avionics architecture and be given a high degree of ownership on components that will fly.

About the Role

We are seeking Sr Avionics Test Systems Engineer, Ground Systems supporting our vehicle ground test support systems. Candidates with strong experience in designing, building, and deploying test systems that interface directly with flight hardware. In this role, you'll lead the development of robust electrical and mechanical systems that support vehicle test, integration, and launch in challenging environments. You’ll work cross-functionally with avionics, propulsion, structures, test, and software teams to ensure our ground systems are reliable, flexible, and safe. This position is ideal for someone who thrives on high ownership, fast iteration, and seeing your systems go from concept to launchpad.

As an Sr Avionics Test Systems Engineer, Ground Systems you will:

• Lead design, development, build, and integrate critical ground systems that support engine test, vehicle integration, and launch operations
• Collaborate cross-functionally with vehicle, propulsion, avionics, software, test, and operations teams to deliver robust, scalable systems on tight timelines
• Oversee fabrication, bring-up, and validation of test systems, including electrical testing, calibration, and functional checks
• Author interface control documents (ICDs) and engineering release drawings to ensure tight alignment between electrical ground support equipment and flight/avionics hardware
• Work closely with safety, operations, and launch teams to ensure systems are compliant and operable under high‑stakes conditions

About You

• Undergraduate or graduate degree (BS/MS/PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience designing and deploying test systems or electrical integration systems in aerospace or high‑reliability environments
• Strong knowledge of electrical signal integrity, grounding schemes, shielding, and power systems
• Hands‑on experience designing, building, and commissioning electromechanical ground systems
• Familiarity with common communication protocols (e.g., Ethernet, RS‑422, CAN, MIL‑STD‑1553) and ground systems standards (ASME, API, and NASA/AF).
• Familiarity with data acquisition and control system platforms such as NI, Beckhoff, or similar

Nice to haves but not required

• Experience with CAD tools such as NX and Teamcenter
• Experience with wire harness design tools such as Zuken
• Familiarity with a PCB design modeling tool such as Altium Designer
• Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python or MATLAB for data acquisition/recording and analysis
• Familiarity with common communication protocols such as Ethernet, CAN, UART, SPI, etc
• Familiarity with data acquisition and control system platforms such as NI, Beckhoff, or similar

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!

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.

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.

At Relativity Space, we comply with International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). Applicants must be a ‘U.S. Person’ as defined under ITAR regulations.

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:

If answer selection above requires an explanation, please explain below:

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self‑identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Relativity Space’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

• A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.
• A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
• An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
• An "armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Disability Status Select...

Form CC‑305

Page 1 of 1

OMB Control Number 1250‑0005

Expires 04/30/2026

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your "major life activities." If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
• Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
• Blind or low vision
• Cancer (past or present)
• Cardiovascular or heart disease
• Celiac disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
• Diabetes
• Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
• Intellectual or developmental disability
• Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
• Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
• Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
• Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Neurodivergence, for example, attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
• Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
• Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
• Short stature (dwarfism)
• Traumatic brain injury

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.