SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Salary: USD 152,000 - 228,000 / annual
Relativity Space is building Terran R, a fully reusable next-generation rocket designed to deliver customer payloads to orbit. The company combines advanced 3D printing technology with robotics and software to revolutionize rocket manufacturing.
You will manage a team of 4-5 Test Engineers, including a new Test Infrastructure team responsible for developing ground support equipment (GSE), automation systems, and production tooling. Your core responsibilities include:
**Team & Process Leadership:**
- Manage and grow a team of test engineers focused on vehicle checkout and test infrastructure
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement, reducing test cycle time and improving first-pass yield
- Define and own vehicle test processes from scratch, rolling them out through clear communication across diverse teams
- Develop vehicle test standards for production, including operator qualification, asset control, and training programs
**Vehicle Test Operations:**
- Own all vehicle test deliverables for final stage integration workcenters, including test plans and resource allocation
- Execute and oversee all vehicle and subsystem checkout operations: fluid system leak checks, low/high voltage checkouts, and functional verifications
- Manage test directors and execution owners running checkouts on the factory floor
- Ensure readiness from GSE, test plan, and personnel perspectives
**Cross-Functional Collaboration:**
- Build strong relationships with Stage 1, Stage 2, and Thrust Structure teams to understand production demand signals
- Partner with systems engineering to define test requirements and conduct data reviews
- Interface with design engineering, manufacturing, and production personnel to ensure highest quality output
- Manage campaign ownership for test and expand technician involvement in test-based roles
**Infrastructure & Data Management:**
- Own the strategy and roadmap for vehicle test infrastructure, including automation systems, test GUIs, GSE, and checkout racks
- Drive development of automated test frameworks and design processes for production utilization
- Own test data collection, post-processing, and storage; ensure the Validation & Verification matrix is complete pre-shipment
- Manage manifest demands through forecasting, working with leadership and program management to maintain schedule alignment
This is an opportunity to shape testing processes for a production rocket program at a critical growth phase—early enough to leave your mark on product and culture, but far enough along that Terran R is tangible and gaining momentum.
**Requirements:**
- Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace, mechanical, manufacturing engineering, or equivalent
- 6+ years of experience building, testing, and integrating avionics hardware in a manufacturing environment
- 1+ years of experience managing and growing engineering teams
- Experience interfacing with design engineering, manufacturing, and production personnel
- Working knowledge of launch vehicle subsystems including structures, propulsion, mechanisms, and high-pressure gas systems
- Self-starter who has demonstrated ability to define and own a process from scratch
- Experience with launch vehicle systems testing and checkout operations; prior hands-on test operation experience required
**Nice to Have:**
- Experience implementing AS9100 quality practices
- Experience with MES + ERP onboarding
- Experience scaling a product from 1 to production
