Vehicle Systems Engineer Intern

Relativity Space; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Relativity Space is seeking a Systems Engineer to own the Terran R lifecycle from design through integrated testing and launch. You will collaborate with structures, mechanisms, fluids, avionics, and software teams to drive robust vehicle integration while managing risk and configurations.

You will perform design trade studies, verification planning, data reviews, and automation scripting to accelerate decisions and reduce risk across the program.

Qualifications

• Experience in systems engineering for complex aerospace products.
• Ability to translate requirements into verifiable design and test plans.
• Strong collaboration across disciplines to drive program milestones.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Terran R lifecycle from design to launch and integration.
• Collaborate with structures, mechanisms, fluids, avionics, and software teams.
• Develop design trade studies, verification plans, and data reviews; manage vehicle configuration.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Technical problem-solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Python

Jira

Confluence

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 Systems Engineering team ensures that Terran R comes together as a cohesive, high-performing, and scalable system. Within the department, one team focuses on building tools and processes to manage requirements, track decisions, and identify and mitigate risk - enabling faster, more informed development across the program. Engineers work across domains to understand complex problems, identify solutions, and implement them – all with deep technical knowledge, not just documentation. The other team focuses on the vehicle itself, working across teams to ensure all subsystems of Terran R function together as intended, burning down technical risk, and driving informed decisions at every stage of the vehicle lifecycle. Engineers are empowered to lead high-impact efforts, from major test campaigns to console operations during launch, and are trusted to drive improvements across fluids, structures, avionics, and more. Regardless of which team you're on, you'll be part of a high-visibility, high-impact department at a pivotal moment in the program, where decisions made today on trades, architecture, and process will shape not just the first launch, but the long-term trajectory of Relativity.

About The Role

• In this role you'll oversee the entire lifecycle of Terran R - from design and development to integrated testing, to launch
• You will have the opportunity to work alongside multiple groups including structures, mechanisms, fluids, prop, avionics, and integrated analysis
• Types of activities you might be assigned: completing design trade studies, performing cross cutting analysis, driving requirements and verification planning to closure, creating automation scripts, developing concept of operations, planning test, reviewing data, and managing vehicle configuration

About You

• You are able to see the big picture but drill down into details and performing detailed work
• You thrive in ambiguity with the ability to define scope that drives the project forward and to completion
• You are more than willing to jump in where and when needed on projects at various stages of the lifecycle
• You have hands on experience through personal projects, club activities, or previous internships that encompass the entire lifecycle of a project

Nice To Haves But Not Required

• Experience with: Python, Jira, Confluence, Propulsion Systems, Mechanical Systems, Electromechanical systems, Robotics, Rockets

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.\"