Staff Propulsion Engineer, Engine Base Heatshield Verified today
About the Role
The Propulsion Integrated Design team seeks a Responsible Engineer to own the design, development, and test of Aeon-R heatshield components. The Aeon-R engines require robust Thermal Protection Systems (TPS)/heatshield hardware to withstand extreme thermal environments and loads from entry, descent, and landing. You will be responsible for design, analysis, integration, and iteration of structural heatshield hardware critical to enabling survival and re-use of Aeon-R engines and Terran R first stages from launch through landing.
What You Will Do
- Design, analyze, develop, test, and qualify heatshield hardware for multiple engine and flight configurations
- Leverage development testing and flight data to continuously iterate upon hardware
- Analyze and troubleshoot post-flight conditions of heatshield hardware to understand suitability for reuse and collect insights driving future improvements
- Partner closely with peer Responsible Engineers across Propulsion and Vehicle organisations to optimise mechanical interfaces
- Collaborate with manufacturing and supply chain to strategise and ramp designs from development to production
- Collaborate with integration to smoothly install hardware to Aeon-R engines and Terran R vehicle
- Spend time on the manufacturing floor to oversee hardware builds and collect feedback from technicians and manufacturing engineers
Required Experience and Skills
- Bachelor's degree in science, engineering, technology, or mathematics
- 8+ years of experience with design of structural hardware and thermal protection systems
- Experience applying fluid, thermal, structural, and mechanical design fundamentals
- Experience with Computer Aided Design (CAD) software
- Demonstrated experience with GD&T and mechanical drafting
- Experience using Siemens NX, SOLIDWORKS, or similar CAD software
- Excellent written and oral communication, especially translating technical concepts for non-technical audiences
- Ability to work in fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding environment
- Demonstrated drive to deliver on ambitious schedules, especially with unconventional and creative solutions
- Experience mentoring junior engineers in design, drafting, analysis, and production support
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in design of propulsion components and systems, particularly hardware in extreme thermal environments
- Direct experience working on thermal protection systems/heatshields
- Experience with all phases of product lifecycle: development, qualification, production ramp, and final integration
- Experience with Siemens NX, Teamcenter, and ANSYS Workbench software specifically
- Familiarity with aerospace standards (AS, NAS, SAE, etc.)
Compensation
Hiring range: $164,000 to $246,000 USD. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, generous PTO and sick leave, parental leave, annual learning and development stipend, and additional benefits.