Propulsion Test Engineer I - 2025 New Grad
Relativity Space
At Relativity Space, we have two audacious goals: to build the next great commercial launch company with Terran R and to become America's leading force in additive manufacturing innovation. Both contribute to our long-term vision of creating humanity’s industrial base on Mars, paving the way for interplanetary life to expand the possibilities of the human experience. This journey begins right here on Earth – where we design, build, and fly rockets to deliver customer payloads to orbit. Terran R, our medium-to-heavy lift reusable rocket, fulfills the growing demand for launch capacity, thanks to our iterative approach that accelerates design, testing, and development while minimizing costs. While our groundbreaking research and development in 3D printing pushes the boundaries of large-scale additive manufacturing.
Your journey with us is more than just a job – it’s an opportunity to shape the future of aerospace technology, additive manufacturing, and the human experience alongside a community of passionate, creative individuals. Join us on this extraordinary journey, as we work together to transform our vision into reality.
About the Team:
The Stennis team at Relativity Space is responsible for designing, building, and operating world-class test stands to support the 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 R, among many other firsts!
About the Role:
As an entry level Propulsion Test Engineer, you will be responsible for designing and operating rocket engine test stands for our 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. The entry level role may include aspects of both designing ground systems [Design focus] and conducting test operations [Operations focus].
[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 problems, across broad ranges of timeframe, complexity, cost, and long-term impact
- Support operations on and perform related improvements to existing test stands
[Operations focus]
- Create, modify, and optimize test sequences, procedures, and data review processes
- Conduct complex propulsion test operations to assess performance of rocket engines and stages
- 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 rocket engine propulsion designs based on real test data
- Potentially travel to production and launch locations, up to 25%.
- This role requires a valid driver's license in order to operate vehicles while on the test site
About You:
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field
- Prior experience in aerospace is not required
- Hands-on fabrication experience using common power tools for projects at work/home/school
- This role requires a valid driver's license in order to operate vehicles while on the test site
Nice to haves but not required:
- Drive to deliver on tight schedules, especially when unconventional & creative solutions are necessary
- Proficiency in 3D modeling and drafting, including GD&T
- Strong engineering fundamentals in Thermal, Structures, and Fluids
- Hands-on experience with metalworking, welding, hydraulics, manufacturing, etc.
- Working knowledge of fluid components such as valves, regulators, and instrumentation
- Ability to understand and develop fluid P&IDs (Plumbing and Instrumentation Diagrams) for large-scale test stands and supporting ground equipment
- Experience safely operating complex fluid systems, including high pressure gas, cryogenic fluids, flammables, and hydraulics
- Ability to work occasional night shifts
Successful candidates must clear a background check administered by the US government to obtain clearance for on-site work at our government partner location in Stennis, Mississippi.
At Relativity Space, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.
Compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more! To see some of the benefits & perks we offer, please visit here.
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.
