Propulsion Test Engineer - Entry Level
Company Overview:
Relativity is the first and only company to automate aerospace manufacturing by integrating intelligent robotics, software, and proprietary metal 3D printing technology. Disrupting 60 years of aerospace, Relativity offers a radically simplified supply chain, building a rocket with 100x fewer parts in less than 60 days. Our long-term goal is to upgrade humanity’s industrial base on Earth and on Mars.
Team:
The Stennis team at Relativity Space is responsible for designing, building, and operating world-class test stands to support the Terran 1 and Terran R stages, engines, and propulsion components. As part of this team, you will help build and operate massive outdoor test stands at the historic Stennis Space Center on the Gulf Coast, the largest rocket engine test complex in the country. Unique to this location, you will have the opportunity to get hands-on the fully integrated engine and stage assemblies, push the hardware to the limits, and witness rocket engines firing up close and personal! This team is critical to the launch success of Terran 1, continued development of Terran R, among many other firsts! Check out this video to learn more about the Stennis test team.
What you’ll do:
As an entry level Propulsion Test Engineer, you will be responsible for designing and operating rocket engine test stands for our Terran 1 and Terran R engines and stages. Entry level engineers at our Stennis facility work in partnership with experienced operations and ground systems engineers and technicians to build and modify test facilities as well as participate in test campaigns to flight qualify our hardware. You will be directly engaged in daily test operations, maintenance, construction, and commissioning activities in the field.
[Design focus]
- Design advanced propulsion test stands including 3D modeling, fluids, structural, and thermal analysis, fabrication drawings, fluids P&IDs, component lists, and detailed work instructions
- Supervise the construction, commissioning, and initial operations of these facilities
- Solve a variety of technical challenges, across broad ranges of timeframe, complexity, cost, and long-term impact
- Support operations on and perform related improvements to existing test stands
- Potentially travel to production and launch locations
[Operations focus]
- Create, modify, and optimize test sequences, procedures, and data review processes
- Lead testing operations under high intensity conditions, with attention to detail, to achieve test objectives
- Directly control and receive telemetry from the test stand and test articles through GUIs and an integrated software suite for control, automation, and data visualization
- Help develop new propulsion designs based on real test data
- Potentially travel to production and launch locations
What you need to know:
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field is required.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and intense startup environment
- Experience with 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
- Ability to develop and review complex fluid P&IDs
- Basic knowledge of common fluid & structural components and instrumentation, such as valves, regulators, hydraulic actuators, pressure transducers, thermocouples, flow meters, accelerometers, strain gauges, load cells
- Hands-on experience, particularly with common power tools, air tools, metalworking, welding, plumbing, hydraulics, manufacturing equipment, etc.
- Ability to work occasional night shifts
Nice to have but not required:
[Design Focus]
- Experience with FEA or CFD
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes, material selection, manufacturability
- Familiarity with inspection, precision measurement, and non-destructive testing methods
[Operations Focus]
- Experience safely operating complex fluid systems, including high pressure gas, cryogenic fluids, flammables, and hydraulics
- Familiarity with rocket engine injectors, chambers, nozzles, valves, pumps, and other components
- Familiarity with data/control systems, specifically programmable logic controllers, data acquisition hardware, and control software
Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous vacation policy, an annual L&D stipend and more!
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.