Staff Propulsion Test Responsible Engineer

Relativity Space; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 164,000 - 225,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Equity

Generous PTO and sick leave policy

Parental leave

Annual learning and development stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space is seeking an experienced engineer to join our Engine Systems & Test Team in Long Beach, CA. The role involves developing and executing test plans, collaborating across teams, and taking ownership of test projects to ensure the success of the Terran rocket. Candidates should have at least 8 years of experience in complex engineering environments and a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Compensation ranges from $164,000 to $225,500, with benefits including generous PTO and equity.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in a complex engineering system development and/or test environment.
• Demonstrated ability to execute high-ownership projects on ambitious schedules.

Responsibilities

• Develop test plans in collaboration with product owners.
• Execute test campaigns, troubleshooting technical puzzles.
• Take ownership of projects to increase collective efficiency.

Skills

Engineering fundamentals in fluid mechanics

Problem-solving

Collaborative environment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, technology, or mathematics

Tools

Combustion devices

Valves

Heat exchangers

Instrumentation

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 Role

This role is on the Engine Systems & Test Team. Our work spans simulation & software tools; system-level architecture, requirements, and interfaces; component & integrated system hotfire testing; and more. We collaborate closely with component engineers, our manufacturing team, our Stennis test team, and our Cape launch team to deliver engines that will successfully propel the Terran rocket to orbit. We strive for continuous improvement and support the development of our technical hardware and human teammates alike.

We are hiring for the integrated engine test team (which tests the full engine assembly). Your work may span several different areas depending on your skillset and the team’s needs at the time.

• In the test part of your role, you will serve as a Responsible Engineer for propulsion test articles.
  • You will develop test plans in collaboration with product owners, and you will execute test campaigns with our Stennis team, troubleshooting technical puzzles along the way.
  • You will own the exploratory operation of new and existing test article designs, diving deep into the evaluation of test hardware behavior in support of continuous engine development and certification.
  • This role is extremely varied day‑to‑day and, in addition to overall campaign ownership, can include writing test sequences, reviewing data, hands‑on work with test articles, writing code, sitting console for hotfire tests, designing tooling, and more.
• Most test roles also involve systems work – on this side of your role, you may support engine subsystem troubleshooting, partner team product investigations, engine system analysis and simulation, trade studies, and more.
• You will also take ownership of projects of your creation to increase our collective efficiency.
• As our vehicle development program progresses, you may have the opportunity to be involved in stage test and flight campaigns – including sitting console for launch operations, defining stage test objectives, and defining flight concepts of operations (CONOPS).

In order to be successful in this role, you should be a self‑starter who is capable of leading collaborative projects to completion. You should be always looking for ways to improve yourself & learn more about the systems that interface with yours – who will leverage the training & mentorship we provide to grow as an engineer and an individual. Along with these high expectations comes the opportunity to have a significant influence on a fast‑growing startup company and to make rapid professional gains in an environment that encourages growth and risk.

Work Schedule & Travel

• This role is full‑time onsite in Long Beach, CA with an average of 25% travel to our test & launch sites.
• This role may occasionally require weekend work for critical milestones.
• This role requires working shifted schedules (1st and 2nd shift) on a rotating basis.

About You

• We believe varied perspectives & backgrounds strengthen our team. Prior experience in aerospace is not required.
• 8+ years of experience in a complex engineering system development and/or test environment Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, technology, or mathematics field
• Experience with:
  • Applying engineering fundamentals in fluid mechanics & thermodynamics
  • Problem‑solving
  • Working in a collaborative environment
• Demonstrated ability to execute high‑ownership projects on ambitious schedules, especially if unconventional solutions are necessary to do so.

Nice To Haves But Not Required

• Exposure to test operations environments
• Working knowledge of at least one of the following: combustion devices, valves, heat exchangers, or instrumentation

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.

Hiring Range

$164,000—$225,500 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].