Staff Launch Structural Engineer
Relativity Space · Long Beach, United States · 8d ago
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. But that’s just the start. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock new opportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress that reaches beyond the known.
Joining Relativity means becoming part of something where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. Here, you're not just executing tasks; you're solving problems that haven’t been solved before, helping develop a rocket, a factory, and a business from the ground up. Whether you’re in propulsion, manufacturing, software, avionics, or a corporate function, you’ll collaborate across teams, shape decisions, and see your work come to life in record time. Relativity is a place where creativity and technical rigor go hand in hand, and your voice will help define the stories we’re writing together. Now is a unique moment in time where it’s early enough to leave your mark on the product, the process, and the culture, but far enough along that Terran R is tangible and picking up momentum. The most meaningful work of your career is waiting. Join us.
About the Team:
The Launch team operates at the intersection of every major aspect of Terran R, from stages and payloads to ground systems, launch, landing, and refurbishment. The Cape is the only place where you see it all come together, offering a level of exposure and responsibility unmatched elsewhere in the program. This is where first flights happen, where history is built on top of history, and where the scale of what's underway is unlike anything in modern aerospace. The mission stays the same, but the work evolves with every milestone: from first launch to reuse, high-cadence operations, and beyond. If you're looking to define what's next in space launch and write a new playbook, not just repeat what’s already been done, this is where it happens.
About the Role:
We are seeking a Staff Launch Structural Engineer to support the development, design, engineering, and construction of launch and test site infrastructure at our Cape Canaveral, Florida launch site or Long Beach, California headquarters.
In this role, you will:
- Develop and execute civil and structural engineering designs for new and modified launch and test site infrastructure, including drawings, specifications, calculations, design documents, and technical reports.
- Coordinate with internal technical teams to define and integrate architectural, structural, heavy civil, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, and industrial requirements.
- Apply engineering principles and project requirements to support the design and development of infrastructure for launch and test operations.
- Collaborate with infrastructure, fluids, electrical, command and control, mechanical, and support operations teams to coordinate infrastructure requirements during launch and test processing and operations.
- Provide technical engineering support throughout infrastructure procurement, construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance activities.
- Review technical information, design requirements, and construction documentation to support project execution and identify potential engineering issues or required changes.
About You:
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, structural engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- 8+ years of experience in civil or structural design within the aerospace, construction, or a related engineering industry, including experience supporting field activities and managing or coordinating projects.
- Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.
- Working knowledge of applicable structural design standards and codes, including the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Steel Construction Manual, American Concrete Institute (ACI) 318, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 7, and International Building Code (IBC).
- Experience applying standard construction practices, including construction means and methods, to engineering or field activities.
- Experience using AutoCAD, Revit, or similar design software and structural analysis software such as SAP2000, ETABS, ANSYS, or similar tools; ability to work with 3D models using NX, AutoCAD, or similar CAD software.
- Experience developing, interpreting, and reviewing technical plans, drawings, specifications, and 3D models.
- Experience managing multiple projects or workstreams, including establishing priorities, tracking progress, and communicating status to stakeholders.
- Ability to perform technical analysis and make engineering decisions using established standards, codes, procedures, and available technical information.
- Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate technical information to engineering, construction, and project stakeholders.
- Ability to adapt work priorities and execute assigned technical tasks in a dynamic environment where schedules, requirements, and operational constraints may change.
Nice to Haves But Not Required:
- 10+ years of experience in civil or structural design within the aerospace, construction, or a related engineering industry, including experience supporting field activities and managing or coordinating projects.
- Advanced degree or additional formal training in engineering, construction, operations, or project management.
- Experience supporting the design, construction, commissioning, or operation of aerospace facilities and systems.
- Experience designing, building, testing, or operating ground support equipment (GSE) used for aerospace test or launch operations.
- Experience with aerospace planning, procedures, operations, and applicable safety requirements.
- Experience preparing or reviewing engineering and construction documentation, including construction drawings, bid packages, contractor selection materials, permitting documentation, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) documentation, and safety documentation.
- Experience supporting construction management activities, including field supervision, contractor coordination, scheduling, budgeting, and project execution.
- Experience with project scoping, cost estimation, budgeting, scheduling, and construction management from both day-to-day and overall project perspectives.
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 Cape Canaveral, Florida.
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.
If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at accommodations@relativityspace.com.
Please note: Relativity Space does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate profiles, or referrals from recruitment agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited submission - via email, our website, social media, or directly to an employee - will be deemed the property of Relativity Space, and no fee will be owed absent a current, fully executed agreement with Talent Acquisition that specifically authorizes submissions for the applicable role.