Principal Propulsion Engineer, Engine Systems & Test

Principal Propulsion Engineer, Engine Systems & Test Long Beach, California At Relativity Space, we’re building rockets to serve today’s needs and tomorrow’s breakthroughs. Our Terran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launch capacity. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock new opportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress that reaches beyond the known.

About the Team The Propulsion team develops and delivers 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 bottoms‑up decision‑making, free from technical gatekeeping, where ownership and accountability are key at all levels.

As the flight configuration enters qualification, the team is now exploring modifications for future engines, including thrust upgrades, new cycles, and design for mass production. About the Role This role may span several areas of the team depending on your skillset and the team’s needs at the time. Core responsibilities include driving engine system (architecture + CONOPS) trades, managing engine interfaces & negotiating requirements to optimize for the vehicle, and supporting overall engine system development.

Additional support may include engine system analysis and simulation, engine testing, tool development, and more. As a principal engineer you will have significant impact on the development trajectory of the current engine and on the architecture of future engine iterations. You will work across multiple teams and technical disciplines, mentor the team, and learn from other mentors within propulsion and the broader company.

Travel is a core component: the role requires an average of 15% travel to test & launch sites and may occasionally require shifted schedules or weekend work for critical milestones. About You Experience applying engineering fundamentals in fluid mechanics & thermodynamics Clear evidence of ownership, problem‑solving skills, and effective team collaboration from school or work experience Demonstrated drive to deliver on ambitious schedules, even when unconventional & creative solutions are necessary Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, technology, or mathematics field Working knowledge of liquid‑propellant rocket engines 11+ years of relevant experience, preferably in complex engineering system development and/or test environment Nice to Haves Working knowledge of fluid components such as valves and instrumentation Working knowledge of engine subsystems such as combustion devices and turbomachinery Compensation & Benefits Hiring range: $185,000 – $254,000 USD. We offer competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more.

Equal Employment Opportunity 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr