Structures Manufacturing Engineer II

Company Overview:  

A rocket company at the core, Relativity Space is on a mission to become the next great commercial launch company. Meeting the needs of a growing demand for space infrastructure, our rockets will revolutionize how we connect and communicate on Earth by getting satellites to space. We have developed a vertically integrated technology platform in which we leverage additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and autonomous robotics to 3D print rockets. Our unique approach enables rapid product iteration, allowing us to push the boundaries of what's possible today and unlock the full potential of 3D printing for tomorrow. Join us on this extraordinary journey, as we work together to transform our vision into reality.

Team:  

The Stage manufacturing team at Relativity Space is currently deep in manufacturing trades and process development for Terran R, our next generation, fully re-useable rocket. This team has a wide variety of responsibilities—from determining the most efficient factory floor layout, to developing and implementing complex tooling and processes, and regularly interfacing with the vehicle engineering team to heavily influence the design of the rocket for streamlined manufacturing. Overall, this team is critical to the development and initial builds of Terran R. This team pulls together the efforts of design, additive, vehicle, and manufacturing teams to deliver flight-ready vehicles for test and launch. To meet our goals, we will drive the product from design concept through the build to structural acceptance test, ensuring the team can move fast while still producing high quality, well understood products.

What you’ll do: 

The Structures Manufacturing team is responsible for working alongside the vehicle design team to develop Terran R primary structures, while also leading the charge on mechanical assembly. To meet our goals, we will build best in class manufacturing, test, and quality control processes to keep our team moving fast while still producing high quality, well understood products.  Overall, this team is critical to the development and initial builds of Terran R.

To be successful in this role, you need to be a self-starter that is able to thrive in ambiguity, identify problems and quickly resolve them, and provide definition to the previously undefined. You should have a commitment to quality and the discipline required to achieve it. You will set the tone for how mBOM’s are architected and work orders are written, how issues on the floor are addressed, and how test operations are run on the vehicle. You will be a trail blazer for the company, so you need to be self-motivated and able to influence both Engineering and Production in order to effectively implement your plans. You will need to be comfortable with desk work such as writing work instructions and analyzing test data as well as hands on work setting up work cells, assembling hardware and running test operations. You should be comfortable operating and troubleshooting complicated systems comprised of mechanical hardware, electronic hardware, and software.

• Own/Co-Own a major primary structure assembly and its child subassemblies from design release through ATP Test—lay out the build flow to ensure an efficient, high-quality product flow capable of scaling with time.
• Collaborate closely with a diverse team of engineers specializing in design, manufacturing, and reliability, as well as internal production teams and external vendors, leveraging their collective expertise to drive progress.
• Generate the mBOMs, CONOPS, build schedule, and maintain throughout the development process.
• Create work instructions, specifications, and best practices across multiple high-fidelity processes. Help standardize processes across the manufacturing team.
• Help establish the stations within the inaugural work cell by considering assembly operations, tooling and capital equipment requirements, and rate targets.
• Support the shop floor through live issue resolution and provide upstream feedback as we innovate the next generation of manufacturing technology.
• Provide Design for Manufacturing feedback to structures teams during the development phase and through the first prototype and flight builds.
• Develop strong working relationships with both Engineering and Factory Development teams to ensure all company objectives can be me

What you need to know:  

To be successful in this role, you hold a relevant engineering degree and have 5+ years of related experience, ideally in an aerospace or automotive manufacturing environment. You have demonstrated experience working cross-functionally to build large scope first article assemblies, resolve complex manufacturing issues, and meeting production demand. The ideal candidate has a strong mindset toward simple design solutions, quality, root cause analysis, and implementation of reliable and productive processes. You’re a tinkerer but also a self-starter who can balance and prioritize daily tasks that contribute to short and long term company goals.  

• Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace, mechanical, or manufacturing engineering.
• Minimum 2 years of experience building hardware in a manufacturing environment.
  Extensive experience with design for manufacture and building first articles. 
• Experience interfacing with design engineering, manufacturing, and production personnel.
• Experience authoring work instructions to build structural assemblies and sub-assemblies.
• Working knowledge of structures, critical lifts, weldment, machining, and Assemblies. 
• Working knowledge of typical manufacturing execution systems and quality management systems.
• Solid understanding of at least three of the following: composites, welding, metallic fabrication, assembly procedures, precision machining, non-destructive testing/evaluation, and tooling design.

Nice to haves but not required:  

• Experience transitioning products from prototype to mass production 
• New product introduction of an aerospace hardware system into a manufacturing, test, and production system with proven success 
• Working knowledge of rocket subsystems including structures, mechanisms, high pressure gas systems, and/or avionics. 
• Strong understanding GD&T and drafting principles. 
• Working knowledge of typical manufacturing execution systems and quality management systems. 
• Process development, factory layouts, and production line planning. 
• Experience in capacity analyses, DFMEA/PFMEA, value stream mapping. 

Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous vacation policy, an annual L&D stipend and more! 

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.