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Relativity Space is developing the Terran R rocket vehicle to deliver payloads to orbit using advanced 3D printing manufacturing. The Propulsion team is responsible for developing and delivering high-performance, manufacturable engines for this vehicle.
As Principal Propulsion Engineer for Engine Systems & Test, you will drive engine system architecture and concept-of-operations trades, manage engine interfaces, and negotiate requirements to optimize vehicle performance. Core responsibilities include engine system analysis and simulation, supporting engine testing, tool development, and coordinating across technical teams. You will bring deep technical expertise to system-level problems, not just facilitate coordination.
At the principal level, you will significantly influence the development trajectory of the current Aeon R engine and the architecture of future engine iterations. You will mentor team members while learning from senior propulsion engineers and the broader organization. The role spans multiple technical disciplines within propulsion depending on your background and growth interests.
You will be expected to lead collaborative projects with minimal oversight, continuously improve your own capabilities, and deepen understanding of interfacing systems. The role requires approximately 15% travel to test and launch sites, with occasional shifted schedules or weekend work for critical milestones.
Key qualifications include strong fundamentals in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, experience with rocket propulsion systems, and demonstrated ability to work on complex technical problems in a fast-paced environment. You should be a self-starter comfortable with ambiguity and capable of making rapid professional gains in a growth-oriented startup.
