Lead, Propulsion Test Engineer Long , California

Long Beach, California

The Propulsion team at Relativity is focused on developing and delivering highly performant and manufacturable engines for Terran R. Engineers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of their parts, from initial design through production to qualification and flight. The team fosters a culture of bottom‑up decision‑making, free from technical gatekeeping, where ownership and accountability are key at all levels.

This role is on the Component Test Team, within the Engine Systems & Test team. The team is responsible for developing the Aeon engine series at the system level, spanning thermofluids simulation & software tools; system‑level architecture, requirements, and interfaces; component & integrated system hot‑fire testing; and more. The Component Test Team is primarily responsible for testing combustion devices. The role may span several areas of the team depending on your skillset and the team’s needs at the time.

Key responsibilities include:

• Serve as a Responsible Engineer for propulsion test articles—primarily combustion devices, but also valves, heat exchangers, or other components.
• Develop test plans with product owners and execute test campaigns with our Stennis team, troubleshooting technical puzzles.
• Own the exploratory operation of new and existing test article designs, evaluating test hardware behavior to support continuous engine development and certification.
• Write test sequences, review data, conduct hands‑on work with test articles, write code, sit console for hot‑fire tests, design tooling, and more.
• Support engine subsystem troubleshooting, partner team investigations, engine or component analysis and simulation, trade studies, and more.
• Possibly be involved in stage test and flight campaigns as the vehicle develops.
• Take ownership of projects you create to increase collective efficiency.
• Lead a small team of engineers with similar responsibilities—mentorship, project management, establishing priorities, communicating with leadership, providing technical guidance, and recruiting.

The role is full‑time onsite in Long Beach, CA, requiring an average of 25% travel to test & launch sites and occasional weekend work or travel for critical milestones.

Relevant background includes:

• Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, or technology field.
• 4+ years of relevant experience in a complex engineering system development and/or test environment.
• Experience applying engineering fundamentals in fluid mechanics & thermodynamics.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to work collaboratively.
• Exposure to test operations environments.
• Experience designing, analyzing, testing, or developing combustion devices, valves, heat exchangers, or instrumentation.
• Leadership potential demonstrated through mentoring, managing interdisciplinary projects, continuous improvement, or hiring.

In order to be successful, you should be a self‑starter, capable of leading collaborative projects with minimal oversight, and eager to improve yourself and your knowledge of interfacing systems.

Pay range: $136,000 – $187,000 USD. Compensation is determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job‑related factors. The total rewards package includes competitive salary and equity, generous PTO and sick leave, parental leave, an annual learning and development 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.