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Mechanical

Senior Launch Mechanical Engineer

Relativity Space logoRelativity Space$124,000–$170,500/yrLong Beach, CaliforniaPosted 1y+ ago

How this pay compares

This posting states $124k–$171k a year. Open mechanical engineer jobs in California post a median of $158k a year, the middle half $130k–$180k, across 266 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post.

Mechanical engineers in California: pay by town and employer

About the job

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 - Apply fundamental and practical engineering methods to develop innovative solutions - Interpret and coordinate engineering requirements between vehicle and ground support teams - Develop detailed 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, fluid system schematics, and electrical schematics - Conduct analyses of structural, dynamic, and system performance using hand calculations and finite element methods - Present and communicate designs effectively to cross-functional teams and leadership, focusing on methodology, functionality, and constructability ## About You - Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field - Minimum of 5 years of engineering experience in structural, mechanism, fluid power, or other related field. - Proficiency with 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo) - Working knowledge of mechanical design principles, system integration, and structural analysis - Experience interpreting technical requirements and collaborating across engineering disciplines Nice to haves but not required: - Designing, manufacturing, and testing launch vehicle interface mechanisms or tooling - Familiarity with standards from NASA, DoD, Space Force, or similar organizations - Knowledge of structural materials and common manufacturing processes - Experience with fluid system design, including high-pressure gases, cryogenics, flammables, or hydraulics - Strong communication and documentation skills 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 $124,000 - $170,500 USD

From Relativity Space's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

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About Relativity Space

Builds reusable rockets that make access to space more reliable and routine.

Pay on its listings: 99.7% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

How it pays: Paid as an employee on Relativity Space's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).

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