TPS Technician I, First Shift

Relativity Space; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Relativity Space is hiring for a first-shift Manufacturing Technician to build the Terran R vehicle’s Thermal Protection System components and subassemblies. The role covers adhesive bonding, surface prep, and documentation of production activities on the 5:00 AM – 3:30 PM PT shift.

You will follow engineering drawings and work instructions, collaborate with engineers and quality inspectors, and help improve manufacturing processes while maintaining safety, quality, and shop organization.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 0–1 years of aerospace/manufacturing experience.
• Ability to learn bonding and flight-hardware assembly processes.

Responsibilities

• Manufacture TPS components and subassemblies to meet quality and safety standards.
• Perform adhesive bonding operations including surface prep and vacuum bagging.
• Follow drawings and work instructions with minimal supervision.
• Operate tools and MES software to document production activities.
• Collaborate with engineers and quality inspectors to troubleshoot issues.
• Support downstream operations while maintaining safety and shop organization.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

MES software

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 Manufacturing team owns all process development, fabrication strategy, and production equipment for Terran R, our next generation reusable rocket. This team has a wide variety of responsibilities—from factory floor layout to developing complex tooling for novel processes and partnering with our vehicle engineering team to influence the design of the rocket. We leverage our deep expertise to translate engineering requirements into highly optimized production lines while working cross-functionally to continuously improve the vehicle program.

This is a 1st shift position with a standard schedule of 5:00 AM – 3:30 PM PT, Monday through Friday. Please note this position is structured around a baseline expectation of a 50-hour workweek, which may include occasional overtime as needed to meet operational goals.

About the Role:

• Manufacture Thermal Protection System (TPS) components and subassemblies for the Terran R vehicle while meeting quality, safety, and production requirements
• Perform adhesive bonding operations including surface preparation, adhesive mixing, application, vacuum bagging, and other TPS manufacturing processes
• Follow engineering drawings, work instructions, specifications, and manufacturing procedures while completing assigned work with minimal supervision
• Safely operate hand tools, pneumatic tools, calibrated equipment, and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software to document production activities
• Collaborate with engineers, quality inspectors, and fellow technicians to troubleshoot routine production issues and continuously improve manufacturing processes
• Support downstream operations as needed while maintaining Relativity Space's high standards for safety, quality, and shop organization

About You:

• High school diploma or GED. 0–1 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, automotive manufacturing, composites, fabrication, assembly, or another related hands-on field
• Basic experience using hand tools, power tools, or production equipment in a manufacturing or shop environment
• Ability to follow written work instructions, drawings, specifications, and established manufacturing processes
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to safety, quality, and proper documentation
• Ability to communicate effectively with technicians, supervisors, engineers, and quality personnel
• Willingness and ability to learn adhesive bonding, surface preparation, adhesive mixing and application, vacuum bagging, and flight-hardware assembly processes

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:

$22.80 - $34.20 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.

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.