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Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer II, Combustion Devices

Relativity Space · Long Beach, CA

Level
Engineer
Team
Manufacturing
Degree
Required (or equivalent experience)
Experience asked
2+ years
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level manufacturing role at Relativity Space (aerospace & defense) in Long Beach, CA. Design, model, and develop manufacturing tooling and fixtures to enable efficient hardware fabrication, assembly, and testing.

They ask for
2+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
Tools it names
Tooling, SolidWorks, CATIA / NX

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

It asks for 2+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

At a glance

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Your game plan for this job

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  1. 1

    Find 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at this site

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  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

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  3. 3

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    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
    • How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

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  5. 5

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About the role

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

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

Show full 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 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 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

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