Senior NDE Engineer

relativity

Long Beach, California · Long Beach · United States

Posted Feb 27, 2026

Other
Materials and Non-Destructive Engineering

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 Relativity Space NDE Engineering Team is dedicated to the integrity of our product while tackling the challenges of our traditional and non-traditional manufacturing methods. We are tasked with developing and executing inspection of a huge variety of materials and components using cutting-edge industry technology and vetting, developing, and deploying automation, machine learning and Statistical Process Control solutions to achieve continuous improvement in efficiency and execution. From designing novel in-house systems and processes that adhere to industry standards, to executing challenging technical inspection operations, our team maintains a steadfast commitment to integrity, efficiency, accuracy, and reliability.

About the Role:

Your core responsibilities will be:

Coordinate with process stakeholders, identify applicable external resources, and develop infrastructure to unify manufacturing, quality, and NDE data into central minable database
Reduce human factors as feasible through automation in data collection (e.g. scanning, instrument setup, etc.), data routing, and decision making
Demonstrate correlation and automated prediction capability between manufacturing defects and process inputs. Demonstrate ability to prevent defects from forming. Certify proof-of-concept with customers
Work closely with NDE Level 3s and NDE Engineers to develop and execute feasibility studies, POD’s, and qualification plans incorporating the above
Interface with outside stakeholders to ensure that qualification data and documentation is in compliance with applicable external customer’s specifications and/or facilitate and document acceptable alternative methodologies (audit proof)
Engage in proactive mentorship and provide training and oversight for less experienced Engineers

About You:

BS or MS in an engineering related field
5+ years of relevant experience involving NDE methods and acceptance criteria
Track record of delivering technically concise reports to external and/or internal engineering stakeholders utilizing multiple data sources
Demonstrated ability to apply engineering fundamentals to achieve a practical manufacturing/production outcome, or similar relevant scope
Technical knowledge in at least 1 of the following NDE Methods: Digital RT, CR, ECA, PAUT
Understanding of welding flaw acceptance criteria

Nice to haves but not required:

M.S. and/or PHD in Engineering with a focus on one or more NDE methods
Experience performing statistical analyses including linear and multi-linear regression, Guassian and Bayesian probabilities using R or Python
Verifiable experience contributing to design and/or qualification of automated NDE systems
Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and familiarity with MES systems
Exposure to aerospace industry codes and standards
Experience with one or more CAD modeling software platforms
Previous or current Level 2 or 3 certification in any of the following NDE Methods: Digital RT, CR, ECA, PAUT
Current ASNT Level 3 in one or more methods
Experience with inspection of additively manufactured materials, FSW’s, and OTW’s
Experience Auditing 3rd Party NDE service providers and equipment vendors
Competency in advanced NDE data analysis in one or more methods (PAUT, ECA, CT, DR, FMC/TFM)

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:

$124,000—$186,000 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.