Vehicle Fluids Hardware Development Engineer I

Socket.dev; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

Relativity Space is seeking a hardware engineer to design and implement fluid systems for the Terran R vehicle. You will ensure reliable operation of propulsion-related fluid components and collaborate with cross-functional teams on-site at the factory.

The role emphasizes hands-on hardware experience, manufacturing process development, and participation in design reviews to drive manufacturability and performance within ambitious schedules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, technology, or mathematics field.
• Hands-on hardware experience with fluid and/or mechanical systems.
• 1+ years of related experience (full-time, internships or projects).

Responsibilities

• Develop manufacturing processes, techniques, and tools to enable high-rate productions and increase engine performance.
• Work hand-in-hand with the design and analysis teams to simplify propulsion systems.
• Participate in design reviews and lead design for manufacturing (DFM) initiatives.
• Design test set-ups, coordinate and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of systems, and conduct data reviews.
• Participate in test failure investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Design, analyze, and procure tooling for piece part manufacturing and system testing.
• Create and maintain development build and test schedules.

Skills

Fluid systems

Education

Bachelor's in STEM

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 Stage Fluids team is responsible for the design and delivery of propellant, pressurant, pneumatics, and other fluid systems that turn structures into functioning rockets! The team has full ownership across design, production, test, and flight, maintaining a holistic view of Terran R, focused not on isolated parts but integrated functionality. Working on-site at the factory means you’re never far from the hardware, enabling rapid iteration and tight feedback loops across design and manufacturing. You won’t just be handed requirements: you’ll be expected to ask the right questions, collaborate with partners across the company, and ultimately find the best solutions for Terran R.

About the Role:

In this role, you will be responsible for the hardware design and implementation of that hardware into vehicle fluid systems, ensuring a reliable and efficient operation of our Terran R launch vehicle. Your primary tasks will be focused on:

• Develop manufacturing processes, new techniques, and tools to enable high-rate productions and increase engine performance
• Work hand-in-hand with the design and analysis teams to simplify our propulsion systems
• Participate in design reviews and lead design for manufacturing (DFM) initiatives
• Design test set-ups, coordinate and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of systems, and conduct data reviews
• Participate in test failure investigations and implement corrective actions
• Design, analyze, and procure tooling for piece part manufacturing and system testing
• Create and maintain development build and test schedules

About You:

• Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, technology, or mathematics field
• Hands-on hardware experience with fluid and/or mechanical systems
• Demonstrated drive to deliver on ambitious schedules, especially if unconventional & creative solutions are necessary to do so
• 1+ years of related experience (full time, internships or projects)

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:

$90,000 – $136,000 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].

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.