Relativity Space

Manager, Launch Mechanical Engineering

Relativity Space$150K — $224K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related technical field.
  • 5+ years of engineering experience in launch operations, testing, or complex mechanical systems.
  • 1+ year of team management experience, including assigning work and providing performance feedback.
  • Strong fundamentals in structures, mechanical design, and fluid systems.
  • Proven ability to complete engineering projects on schedule while managing technical issues and shifting priorities.

Responsibilities

  • Manage a team of mechanical engineers in designing and testing mechanisms and tools for flight vehicles.
  • Set team priorities and work schedules based on launch timelines and program needs.
  • Support engineers with design strategies and practical engineering methods.
  • Coordinate staffing, schedules, design reviews, and align with engineering and operations teams.
  • Review system designs to ensure safety, reliability, and practicality of solutions.
  • Hire, train, coach, and assess team members while providing leadership updates on progress and resource needs.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary and equity opportunities.
  • Generous PTO and sick leave policy.
  • Parental leave for new parents.
  • Annual learning and development stipend.
  • Commitment to transparency in compensation practices.
Full Job Description
About the Team:

The Launch Mechanical team is responsible for building world class launch facilities to support flights of the Terran R launch vehicle. As part of the team, you will take on the challenge of designing, building, testing, and integrating complex mechanical systems that interface directly with the launch vehicle. You will have the opportunity to be part of a small team of engineers who are responsible for the full engineering cycle on projects that involve static structures, dynamic mechanisms, and control systems using fluid, electrical, and combustion powered sources.

About the Role:
  • Manage a team of launch mechanical engineers who design, build, and test mechanisms, tools, and interfaces used with flight vehicles and ground systems.
  • Set clear priorities for the team and plan work based on launch schedules, program needs, and company goals.
  • Support engineers with design decisions, problem-solving, and practical mechanical engineering methods.
  • Coordinate staffing, schedules, design reviews, technical risks, and work with other engineering and operations teams.
  • Review launch system designs and help the team develop safe, reliable, and practical solutions.
  • Hire, train, coach, and evaluate team members, and provide leadership with clear updates on progress, risks, and resource needs.

About You:

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.
  • 5+ years of engineering experience in launch operations, testing, ground systems, or other complex mechanical systems.
  • 1+ year of experience managing an engineering team, including assigning work, coaching employees, and providing performance feedback.
  • Strong engineering fundamentals in structures, mechanical design, and fluid systems
  • Experience completing engineering projects on schedule while addressing technical issues and changing priorities.
  • Experience mentoring engineers, resolving work-related conflicts, and communicating clearly with technical teams and leadership.

Nice to haves but not required:
  • Experience designing, building, testing, or operating launch vehicle interface mechanisms and tooling.
  • Familiarity with NASA, Department of Defense, U.S. Space Force, or similar engineering and safety standards.
  • Knowledge of structural materials and common manufacturing processes.
  • Experience designing fluid systems that use high-pressure gases, cryogenic fluids, flammable fluids, or hydraulics.


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.

Hiring Range:

$150,000-$224,000 USD

About Relativity Space

Relativity Space is an American aerospace manufacturer that is developing 3D printed rockets. The company was founded in 2015 by Tim Ellis and Jordan Noone, and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Relativity Space's goal is to reduce the cost and time required to produce rockets by using 3D printing technology. The company's rockets are designed to be fully reusable, which could significantly reduce the cost of space launches. Relativity Space has received funding from a number of investors, including Mark Cuban and Playground Global.
Learn more about Relativity Space
Size
200 employees
Industry
Founded
2016

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