About the Team: The Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing team is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in rocket propulsion hardware. Responsible for development, process, and production, the team oversees initial concept to final hardware with rigorous quality and precision. From developing print parameters on state-of-the-art 3D printers to enabling fast iteration for partner departments, the team plays a critical role in taking engine designs from concept to hot fire. The team was instrumental in producing Aeon 1 engines for Terran 1 launch and is now pioneering next-generation processes and designs for our Aeon R engines that will power Terran R. With flight hardware production scaling up rapidly, now is the time to join and make a direct impact.
About the Role:Relativity Space is seeking a highly skilled Senior Heat Treat Process Engineer to own and optimize heat treatment processes for additively manufactured parts and welded assemblies. This hands-on role requires technical expertise in aerospace heat treatment, process development, and the ability to drive innovation in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You'll spend significant time on the manufacturing floor working with furnaces, technicians, and cross-functional teams to establish world-class heat treatment operations for next-generation rocket components.
Key Responsibilities
- Own heat treatment processes for L-PBF additively manufactured Inconel 718 parts and welded assemblies, including development and validation of heat treatment recipes (solution annealing, aging, HIP) through material testing (hardness, tensile, microstructural evaluation)
- Drive experimentation and innovation beyond industry standards to meet production goals while maintaining aerospace quality requirements
- Author and maintain process specifications and SOPs in compliance with NADCAP and AS9100 requirements, including temperature uniformity surveys, furnace calibration records, and process validation documentation
- Lead root cause analysis for thermal processing non-conformances and develop corrective/preventive actions to prevent recurrence
- Provide training, guidance, and technical support to heat treat technicians while collaborating with materials, quality, and manufacturing teams to resolve issues and implement improvements
- Interface with suppliers and vendors for heat treatment equipment and services
- Manage equipment calibration schedules, conduct temperature uniformity surveys, and identify infrastructure needs for capital equipment improvements
- Design efficient shopfloor workflows with visual management systems to clearly identify part status and required heat treatment cycles, optimizing throughput and first-time quality
About You:- Bachelor's degree in Materials Science Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering
- 5-7+ years of heat treatment process engineering in aerospace manufacturing with proven NADCAP and AS9100 experience
- Deep understanding of heat treatment metallurgy for nickel-based superalloys (solution annealing, precipitation hardening, stress relief, HIP)
- Knowledge of aerospace heat treatment specifications (AMS2774, AMS2750) and additive manufacturing (L-PBF) heat treatment requirements
- Understanding of furnace Installation qualification, calibration, temperature uniformity surveys, and thermal processing equipment management
- Hands-on vacuum furnace operations, cycle development, and process validation
- Experience with technical writing: Specification, SOP, work instructions
- Experience training and working with manufacturing technicians
Nice to haves but not required: - Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering
- Material characterization proficiency including hardness testing, tensile testing per ASTM E8, and metallographic evaluation
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:
$122,000-$167,000 USD
