Relativity Space
Propulsion Structural Engineer, Combustion Devices
About this role
Relativity Space seeks a Propulsion Structural Engineer to design and qualify combustion device hardware for the Aeon-R engine on the Terran R rocket. You'll perform structural analysis, thermal assessments, and fatigue evaluations across the full development lifecycle, collaborating with hardware designers to ensure performance and safety requirements are met.
What you'll do
- Conduct high-fidelity structural modeling and finite element analysis for combustion devices including static, thermal, fatigue, and damage tolerance analyses
- Perform hand calculations and analytical work to achieve structural closure and validate design concepts
- Define and support test objectives that validate models and verify hardware performance in flight-relevant conditions
- Partner with hardware design teams to influence design decisions based on structural analysis findings
- Analyze test data and anchor models to improve prediction accuracy for future iterations
- Support risk assessment and qualification activities from concept through flight readiness
What they're looking for
- Finite element method (FEM) analysis and structural modeling tools
- Structural mechanics (beam bending, pressure vessels, buckling, fatigue)
- Thermodynamics and heat transfer analysis
- Hand calculations and first-principles engineering
- Test design and data analysis
- Thermal and structural analysis integration
- Propulsion or combustion device familiarity
- Technical communication and cross-functional collaboration
Benefits
- Work on cutting-edge rocket propulsion technology with tangible near-term impact
- Ownership of engineering lifecycle from design through flight qualification
- Collaborative, flat organizational structure with bottoms-up decision-making
- Opportunity to influence future engine designs including thrust upgrades and new cycles
- Early-stage company where technical contributions directly shape product and culture
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Relativity Space
Relativity Space develops the Terran R reusable rocket and is hiring engineers to design, manufacture, and launch it. The company seeks Manufacturing Engineers, Launch Integration Engineers, Vehicle Structures Engineers, and Avionics Hardware Engineers to work on critical flight systems, production processes, and launch operations at Cape Canaveral.
- Website
- relativityspace.com
Likely interview questions
- Walk us through your experience with finite element analysis—what tools have you used and what types of structural problems have you solved?
- Describe a time you performed hand calculations to validate or challenge an FEM model result. What did you learn?