Lead, Propulsion Test Responsible Engineer

About the Team: 

About the Role:

This role is on the Component Test Team, within the Engine Systems & Test team. Our broader team is responsible for developing the Aeon engine series at the system level. Our work spans thermofluids simulation & software tools; system-level architecture, requirements, and interfaces; component & integrated system hotfire testing; and more. The Component Test Team is primarily responsible for testing of combustion devices. We collaborate closely with propulsion design engineers, our manufacturing team, our Stennis test team, and our Cape launch team to deliver engines that will successfully propel the Terran rocket to orbit. We strive for continuous improvement and support the development of our technical hardware and human teammates alike.

This role may span several areas of our team depending on your skillset and the team’s needs at the time.

• In the test part of your role, you will serve as a Responsible Engineer for propulsion test articles. These will primarily be combustion devices but may also include valves, heat exchangers, or other components.
  • You will develop test plans in collaboration with product owners, and you will execute test campaigns with our Stennis team, troubleshooting technical puzzles along the way.
  • You will own the exploratory operation of new and existing test article designs, diving deep into the evaluation of test hardware behavior in support of continuous engine development and certification.
  • This role is extremely varied day-to-day and, in addition to overall campaign ownership, can include writing test sequences, reviewing data, hands-on work with test articles, writing code, sitting console for hotfire tests, designing tooling, and more.
• Most test roles also involve systems work – on this side of your role, you may support engine subsystem troubleshooting, partner team product investigations, engine or component analysis and simulation, trade studies, and more.
• As our vehicle development program progresses, you may have the opportunity to be involved in stage test and flight campaigns.
• You will take ownership of projects of your creation to increase our collective efficiency.

You will also lead a small team of engineers with similar responsibilities as the above. This will require mentorship, project management, establishing priorities, communicating with leadership, providing technical guidance, and recruiting. Leaders at Relativity are expected to be both people leaders & highly technical – you will balance your time between effectively supporting your team’s growth and success at Relativity and making direct technical contributions of your own. You will serve as a mentor to guide the team and will also learn from peers & mentors of your own within propulsion & the broader company. And in addition to learning from each other, we all learn from the engine – Aeon R is a novel engine that’s never been built before, and with every test it gives us new mysteries to solve and challenges to grow from.

In order to be successful in this role, you should be capable of leading collaborative projects to completion with minimal oversight. You should also be a self-starter who is always looking for ways to improve yourself & learn more about the systems that interface with yours. Along with these high expectations comes the opportunity to have a significant influence on a fast-growing startup company and to make rapid professional gains in an environment that encourages growth and risk.

Work schedule & travel:

• This role is full-time onsite in Long Beach, CA, and requires an average of 25% travel to our test & launch sites.
• This role may occasionally require weekend work or travel for critical milestones.

About You:

We believe varied perspectives & backgrounds strengthen our team. Prior experience in aerospace is not required.

• Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, or technology field
• 4+ years relevant experience in a complex engineering system development and/or test environment
• Experience with:
  • Applying engineering fundamentals in fluid mechanics & thermodynamics
  • Problem-solving
  • Working in a collaborative environment
• Exposure to test operations environments
• Experience designing, analyzing, testing, or developing at least one of the following: combustion devices, valves, heat exchangers, or instrumentation
• Leadership potential, which could be demonstrated e.g., through mentoring, managing complex interdisciplinary projects, supporting continuous improvement of the people around you, or participating in growing your team through hiring