Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer II, Combustion Devices

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 Engine Manufacturing team is dedicated to developing high-performance engines and advancing innovative manufacturing solutions that improve hardware performance, quality, cost, and lead time. Working at the forefront of Aeon R engine development, the team plays a critical role in shaping new hardware iterations, solving complex manufacturing challenges, and collaborating closely with design engineering to bring new concepts to life.

As we advance through the next phase of engine development, our focus is on rapidly developing, building, testing, and refining combustion device hardware. This is a hands-on, fast-paced environment where creativity, adaptability, and extreme ownership are essential. Engineers on this team are empowered to challenge conventional approaches, develop innovative solutions, and take ownership of problems from concept through execution.

About the Role:

• Own end-to-end manufacturing engineering activities for the development and production of combustion device hardware supporting the Aeon R and Vacuum Engine programs
• Develop and implement innovative manufacturing processes, tooling, and fixtures to support new hardware development, rapid iteration, and evolving engineering requirements
• Independently translate ambiguous technical objectives into actionable engineering solutions, driving projects from initial concept through implementation while adapting to changing priorities
• Design, model, and develop manufacturing tooling and fixtures to enable efficient hardware fabrication, assembly, and testing
• Drive hardware execution and schedule adherence across multiple manufacturing workcenters, coordinating with process owners to move hardware through each stage of fabrication, processing, and assembly. Proactively identify and resolve bottlenecks to ensure timely delivery against engine development milestones
• Collaborate closely with internal manufacturing teams (machine shop, additive manufacturing, etc.) and cross-functional partners (Supply Chain, Propulsion Design, etc.) to influence hardware design, improve manufacturability, and resolve technical challenges
• Take a hands-on approach to troubleshooting, problem-solving, and continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to improve hardware quality, reliability, and manufacturing efficiency
• Drive critical hardware deliverables to meet engine development milestones while maintaining a high level of individual accountability, technical ownership, and execution in a dynamic environment

About You:

• Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace, mechanical, manufacturing engineering, or equivalent
• Minimum 2+ years of relevant engineering experience involving hands-on hardware development, manufacturing, fabrication, or testing
• Demonstrated experience independently designing and developing mechanical tooling, fixtures, or hardware from concept through implementation
• Proficiency in mechanical CAD software, preferably Siemens NX or SolidWorks, with experience creating original designs rather than solely modifying existing models
• Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals and practical problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex hardware and manufacturing challenges
• Experience developing manufacturing processes, work instructions, or procedures for complex hardware or assemblies
• Experience collaborating with design engineering, manufacturing, and technical stakeholders to resolve challenges and improve hardware manufacturability
• Ability to coordinate across multiple manufacturing workcenters, manage competing priorities, and proactively drive hardware through production processes to meet aggressive development schedules
• Proven ability to take ownership of ambiguous engineering problems, work independently with limited direction, and deliver results in a fast-paced, evolving development environment
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and comfortable taking a hands-on approach to engineering challenges

Nice to Haves but Not Required:

• 3+ years of relevant hands-on hardware development or manufacturing engineering experience
• Experience with combustion device, rocket propulsion, or aerospace hardware design, development, manufacturing, or testing
• Experience developing prototype or early-stage hardware, including iterative design, fabrication, assembly, and testing
• Experience designing and implementing manufacturing tooling, fixtures, or test equipment for complex mechanical assemblies
• Experience working in a rapid development environment where requirements, designs, and priorities evolve frequently

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.

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.