Vehicle Hardware Test Engineer (Fluids)
Role summary
Relativity Space is seeking a Vehicle Hardware Test Engineer specializing in Fluids for their Terran R launch vehicle program. This role involves supporting the development and qualification of fluid system hardware, translating design requirements into test strategies, and iterating on designs based on test outcomes. The engineer will design test fixtures, develop test campaigns, and support test execution and analysis. The ideal candidate possesses a strong foundation in physics, first-principles thinking, and experience with fluid systems and aerospace qualification testing. This is an onsite role within a fast-paced, collaborative vehicle development environment.
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 Stage Fluids team is responsible for the design and delivery of the 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, test 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 support the development and qualification of fluid system hardware for the TerranR launch vehicle. You will help translate design requirements into effective test strategies while iterating on hardware designs based on test results. Your work will ensure fluid system components are robust, well-understood, and ready for integration into the broader vehicle architecture
- Primary Responsibilities:
- Iterate on hardware designs and supporting analysis based on learnings found in testing
- Design mechanical test fixtures to support component and system-level hardware testing
- Translate hardware designs, industry test standards, system requirements, and design criteria into actionable qualification and development test campaigns
- Accelerate the team’s ability to test hardware by clarifying test processes, capabilities, and limitations, and by developing creative solutions to testing challenges
- Support the execution, troubleshooting, and interpretation of hardware test campaigns
- To succeed in this role, you will bring a solid foundation in fundamental physics and the ability to apply first-principles thinking to complex problems. You are self-motivated, adaptable, and thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative vehicle development environment
About You
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or an equivalent engineering discipline
- 2+ years of fluid systems and fluid system architecture
- Experience developing and executing aerospace qualification test programs (e.g., SMC-S-016 or similar specifications)
- Experience designing or operating with fluid system components such as fittings, seals, valves, regulators, and associated system testing
- Familiarity with FEA tools for evaluating structural margins
Nice To Haves But Not Required
- Experience in a fast-paced start-up and/or launch vehicle environment
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
$104,000—$143,000 USD
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.*