Staff Supplier Development Engineer

Relativity Space; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company at the forefront of aerospace technology and additive manufacturing. As a Supplier Development Engineer, you'll play a crucial role in building a robust machine shop supply base by evaluating supplier capabilities and providing technical expertise. This position offers a unique opportunity to work on innovative projects that shape the future of space exploration. Collaborate with a passionate team dedicated to solving complex challenges and driving continuous improvement in manufacturing processes. If you're ready to make a significant impact in the aerospace industry, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Equity options

Generous PTO

Sick leave policy

Parental leave

Annual learning stipend

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in machining and 3+ years in Manufacturing Engineering or Supply Chain.
• Strong analytical and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate suppliers’ capabilities and advise on improvements.
• Lead initiatives to solve quality and delivery problems at suppliers.

Skills

Machining

Critical Thinking

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

B.S. in Industrial Engineering

B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

MRP Systems

QMS

Calibration Tools

Job description

Long Beach, California

At Relativity Space, we have two audacious goals: to build the next great commercial launch company with Terran R and to become America's leading force in additive manufacturing innovation. Both contribute to our long-term vision of creating humanity’s industrial base on Mars, paving the way for interplanetary life to expand the possibilities of the human experience. This journey begins right here on Earth – where we design, build, and fly rockets to deliver customer payloads to orbit. Terran R, our medium-to-heavy lift reusable rocket, fulfills the growing demand for launch capacity, thanks to our iterative approach that accelerates design, testing, and development while minimizing costs. While our groundbreaking research and development in 3D printing pushes the boundaries of large-scale additive manufacturing.

Your journey with us is more than just a job – it’s an opportunity to shape the future of aerospace technology, additive manufacturing, and the human experience alongside a community of passionate, creative individuals. Join us on this extraordinary journey, as we work together to transform our vision into reality.

About the Team:

The mission of the Engine Manufacturing department is to deliver high-performing products and innovative manufacturing systems while driving continuous improvements in cost, quality, and lead time. Through cross-functional collaboration, high levels of accountability, and a focus on safety we play a crucial role in building our reusable rocket, Terran-R. We are responsible for providing design feedback on new hardware iterations, pioneering and implementing advanced manufacturing methods and systems, and ultimately delivering engine and vehicle hardware for testing prior to launch. Over the past year, the Engine Manufacturing Team has successfully developed, iterated, and delivered processes and hardware for the first Aeon-R development engines. Now, we are entering a critical phase: producing flight engines that will pave the way for Terran-R's inaugural launch to orbit.

About the Role:

The Supply Chain Team and Manufacturing Engineering Team are looking for a Supplier Development Engineer, CNC Machining to help build a robust machine shop supply base. As a technical contributor you will set the standard on how we evaluate suppliers’ capabilities, advise them on how they can improve their systems to meet Relativity's needs, and be the technical interface between the suppliers and Relativity.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Develop Supply Base:
  • Evaluate suppliers’ capabilities by identifying proposed suppliers core competencies
  • Advise supply chain management team on core competencies
• Assist suppliers in their development of their systems (MRP, QMS, Calibration, etc.) to meet Relativity's requirements
• Provide technical expertise to supplier to help solve machining problems, reduce defects, reduce cycle times
• Support supplier score card evaluations
• Tactical Problem Solving:
  • Lead initiative to solve tactical quality and delivery problems at suppliers
• Technical interface between supply base and Relativity
• Interface between Relativity technical team (REs, Prop MEs, QI, etc.) on DFM ideas.
• Communicate to upstream processes that are causing supplier issues, help resolve supplier’s ambiguity in design intent/definition and help resolve differences in inspection process variation between suppliers’ inspection and Relativity inspection.

About You:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in machining
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, or Supply Chain
• Excellent critical and analytical thinking, verbal and written communication skills

Nice to haves but not required:

• Proven track record in conducting supplier evaluations and managing supplier quality
• Strong knowledge of supplier evaluation techniques, including audit methodologies and risk assessment tools

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:

$150,000 - $193,600 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.