Relativity Space

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Vehicle Fluids

Relativity Space$132K — $181K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or relevant field.
  • 5+ years experience in fluid system component design.
  • Proficient in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer engineering principles.
  • Experience with CFD and FEA tools, particularly ANSYS.
  • Hands-on project experience with CAD packages like NX, CREO, or Solidworks.

Responsibilities

  • Design and analyze pressure components for launch vehicle fluid systems.
  • Conduct detailed fluid, thermal, and structural analyses of components and assemblies.
  • Plan and execute qualification tests for internally developed components.
  • Perform trade studies to develop designs meeting system requirements.
  • Implement hardware designs into vehicle fluid systems for reliable operation.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary and equity packages.
  • Generous PTO and sick leave policies.
  • Parental leave benefits.
  • Annual learning and development stipend.
  • Commitment to transparency in compensation practices.
Full Job Description
About the Team:

The Stage Fluids team is responsible for the design and delivery of propellant, pressurant, pneumatics, and other fluid systems that turn structures into functioning rockets! The team has full ownership across design, production, test, and flight, maintaining a holistic view of Terran R, focused not on isolated parts but integrated functionality. Working on-site at the factory means you're never far from the hardware, enabling rapid iteration and tight feedback loops across design and manufacturing. You won't just be handed requirements: you'll be expected to ask the right questions, collaborate with partners across the company, and ultimately find the best solutions for Terran R.

About the Role:

In this role, you will be responsible for the hardware design and implementation of that hardware into vehicle fluid systems, ensuring a reliable and efficient operation of our Terran R launch vehicle. Your primary tasks will be focused on:
  • Design and analysis of clean sheet of pressure components for launch vehicle fluid and propulsion systems
  • Detailed fluid, thermal, and structural analysis of piece parts and assemblies
  • Development and qualification test planning and execution of internally developed components
  • Conducting trade studies to produce architectures and designs that satisfy system requirements

About You:
  • Bachelor's degree (Mechanical Engineering or relevant)
  • 5+ years of experience working with fluids system component design
  • Direct experience applying engineering fundamentals in thermodynamics, structures, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer
  • Experience with CFD and FEA tools (ANSYS)
  • Project experience with all the following:
    • Experience with a commercial CAD package (NX, CREO, Solidworks)
    • Experience designing fluid system pressure components (fittings, seals, valves, regulators, etc.) and qualifying them for aerospace applications
    • Experience with FEA (ie. ANSYS, FEMAP) tools to analyze component structural margins

Nice to haves but not required:
  • Experience with internal flow CFD to assess component performance


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:

$132,000-$181,500 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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