Staff Build Reliability Engineer, Structures

Relativity Space; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

PTO & sick leave

Parental leave

Learning & development stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space is hiring a Quality Engineer in Long Beach to own quality at design release, development, and production for the Terran R program. You will drive DFM, configuration control, and inspections while coordinating with design, manufacturing, test, and launch teams to ensure reliability and speed.

You will apply GD&T, PLM/ERP/QMS tools and aerospace manufacturing knowledge to solve complex problems, communicating with leadership and ensuring quality is built into every stage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or STEM field with experience as a Quality Engineer in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
• Experience interfacing with design, manufacturing, production and test personnel.
• Knowledge of aerospace manufacturing and quality processes with GD&T proficiency.
• Ability to propose solutions across multiple teams and communicate status to leadership.

Responsibilities

• Own design standardization, DFM, and configuration management control within the program.
• Review work instructions, develop processes, and document standard rework/repair steps.
• Coordinate in-process verification, traveled work, and nonconformance handling.
• Drive quality initiatives, develop specs, checklists, and automate inspections where possible.
• Build strong relationships with Engineering, Additive, Manufacturing, Test, and Launch teams to meet objectives.

Skills

Quality engineering

GD&T

Manufacturing knowledge

Problem solving

Communication

Education

B.S. in Engineering

Tools

PLM/MES/ERP/QMS software

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 Reliability team at Relativity Space ensures quality is built into every stage of the Terran R design and production process, embedding reliability from the very beginning. The team works directly with design, manufacturing, test, and launch teams to stay close to the hardware, understand constraints, and proactively shape decisions. As the program moves from development into production and scaled operations, this is the time to establish the right processes, controls, and inspections without slowing progress. The team plays a key role in balancing risk, fostering a culture of ownership, and ensuring speed never comes at the cost of reliability. Success means creating a quality system that scales with the Terran R program and Relativity as a whole.

About The Role

• Ownership may include the following: Design: drawing standardization, DFM, and configuration management and control
• Planning: work instruction review, process development, standard rework/repair documentation
• Manufacturing: in-process build verification, coordinate of travelled work, etc.
• Program: Nonconformance ticket processes, as-built verification, root cause/corrective action, etc.
• Drive initiatives to facilitate quality in our growing launch vehicle program. Some projects may include spearheading specification development, developing walk down checklists, supporting automation initiatives for quality inspection, assisting in DFM practices, etc.
• Develop strong working relationships with Engineering, Additive, Manufacturing, Test, and Launch teams to ensure all company objectives can be met

About You

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or other STEM field and minimum of5 yearsof experience acting as a Quality Engineer at a fast-paced manufacturing company
• Extensive experience interfacing with design engineering, manufacturing, production and test personnel
• In-depth knowledge of aerospace manufacturing/complex assembly practices and typical quality processes/controls
• Working knowledge of typical PLM, MES, ERP and QMS software and proficiency with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
• Ability to solve a wide range of difficult problems in imaginative and practical ways and evaluate alternative solutions that may require coordination across multiple teams. Ability to establish goals and objectives to complete projects.
• Ability to effectively communicate and present information to team members, team leaders, and top management and well-versed in process development and first-time quality efforts

Nice To Haves But Not Required

• Working knowledge of product development methodologies such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Production Process Verification (PPV).
• New product introduction (NPI) of hardware system into a manufacturing, test, and production system with proven success.
• Familiarity with high-volume inspection methods and data-driven acceptance methods.
• Understanding of AS9100/ISO9001 applications and practices for an aerospace program.
• Self-starter that has demonstrated the ability to define and own a process from scratch and roll out that process through adept communication to a diverse team.

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

$143,000—$215,000 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].