Lead, Launch Mechanical Engineering

relativity

Long Beach, California · Long Beach · United States

Posted Mar 6, 2026

Other
Launch

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 Launch Mechanical team is responsible for building world class launch facilities to support flights of the Terran R launch vehicle. As part of the team, you will take on the challenge of designing, building, testing, and integrating complex mechanical systems that interface directly with the launch vehicle. You will have the opportunity to be part of a small team of engineers who are responsible for the full engineering cycle on projects that involve static structures, dynamic mechanisms, and control systems using fluid, electrical, and combustion powered sources.

About the Role:

Manage a small, highly talented team of launch mechanical engineers to design mechanisms and tools that interface with the flight vehicle and other ground systems
Mentor engineers on fundamental and practical engineering practices
Balance leadership work with individual technical projects
Directly and indirectly impact the outcome of launch system designs
Grow the team by recruiting, interviewing, developing training materials, direct mentorship, and performance reviews
Communicate with leadership about progress, risks, and other team details

About You:

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field
Varied perspectives & backgrounds strengthen our team
Minimum of 3 years of engineering experience in a test or launch environment
Strong engineering fundamentals in structures, mechanical design, and fluid systems
Demonstrated drive to deliver on tight schedules, especially when unconventional & creative solutions are necessary
Strong leadership skills, including mentorship, communication, conflict resolution, and managing expectations

Nice to haves but not required:

Experience designing, manufacturing, testing, and implementing launch vehicle interface mechanism systems and tooling
Familiarity with NASA, DoD, Space Force, and other governing body standards
Working knowledge of common structural materials and manufacturing processes
Experience designing complex fluid systems, including high pressure gas, cryogenic fluids, flammables, and hydraulics

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:

$128,000—$192,000 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 accommodations@relativityspace.com.

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.