Senior Materials & Processes Engineer, Thermal Protection Systems & Soft Goods Verified today
About the Team
The Materials and NDE team enables Terran R to fly, re-fly, and scale by developing, characterizing, and inspecting materials and processes across all vehicle systems. From welding and additive manufacturing to advanced composites, the team balances performance and reliability with cost, quality, and schedule. As you move toward first flight and beyond, you'll shape how the company designs and develops for reuse, with ownership across products, systems, and disciplines.
About the Role
Be the cognizant Materials and Processes engineer of thermal protection systems and non-metallic soft goods for Terran R flight and reuse.
- Identify qualification envelopes, form test plans, execute characterization campaigns, and analyze data for flight qualification and usage.
- Develop, implement, and maintain technical specifications and engineering standards.
- Drive statistically-driven experimental design and process improvement campaigns.
- Interface with materials engineers to identify, define, and fill critical technology gaps through Relativity-developed and commercially available materials.
- Work with laboratory staff to characterize materials and processes.
- Support responsible engineers on materials selection, design, analysis, qualification, failure analysis, flight, and reuse.
- Collaborate with manufacturing and TPS engineers to develop formulations, processes, and troubleshoot issues while maintaining cost, rate, and performance.
- Build reliability and supply chain to ensure compliance and reliability.
- Work with Relativity and customer fracture control boards to achieve vehicle reuse.
- Partner with leadership to develop technical roadmaps, elevate risks, and overcome roadblocks.
About You
- Bachelor's degree in materials science, engineering, chemistry, or related field.
- 5+ years of experience relevant to materials and processes activities.
- Experience with material selection, process development, qualification, damage tolerance, inspections, risk assessments, and failure analysis.
- Strong commitment to accountability, collaboration, and execution.
- Desire to establish strong interdisciplinary relationships across the company.
- Authentic, introspective, and inclusive mindset toward technical, interpersonal, and team growth.
- Passion to work in a fast-paced environment on constantly iterating products and processes, driving impact on Terran R as manufacturing rate scales and reuse is achieved.
Nice to Have
- Demonstrated ownership and impact with non-metallic aerospace materials including corks, foams, ceramics, and thermal protection systems; primers, paints, and coatings for corrosion, thermal, and electrical applications; potting, staking, and conformal coats; elastomeric gaskets and seals; polymer-base material systems; dry film lubricants and greases.
- Understanding of cryogenic and high temperature non-metallic material behavior.
- Prior work with non-metallic testing standards and procedures.
- Familiarity with contamination control and outgassing principles.
Compensation
Hiring range: $124,000 to $186,000 USD. Compensation is determined based on experience, qualifications, and job-related factors. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, generous PTO and sick leave, parental leave, and an annual learning and development stipend.