Director, Structural and Mechanical Engineering

At Relativity Space, we have two audacious goals: to build the next great commercial launch company with Terran R and to become America's leading force in additive manufacturing innovation. Both contribute to our long-term vision of creating humanity’s industrial base on Mars, paving the way for interplanetary life to expand the possibilities of the human experience. This journey begins right here on Earth – where we design, build, and fly rockets to deliver customer payloads to orbit. Terran R, our medium-to-heavy lift reusable rocket, fulfills the growing demand for launch capacity, thanks to our iterative approach that accelerates design, testing, and development while minimizing costs. While our groundbreaking research and development in 3D printing pushes the boundaries of large-scale additive manufacturing.

Your journey with us is more than just a job – it’s an opportunity to shape the future of aerospace technology, additive manufacturing, and the human experience alongside a community of passionate, creative individuals. Join us on this extraordinary journey, as we work together to transform our vision into reality.

About the Team:

Relativity's Launch Infrastructure team oversees launch site design & build, ensures launch operation capabilities, and provides supporting new infrastructure projects, including recovery and refurbishment sites. This includes everything from gathering project requirements and conceptual designs to project execution and activating systems required for the Terran R Launch. The Launch Infrastructure team coordinates with Launch Operations to ensure all operational requirements are met and ready for flight. The team is actively working on designing and building Relativity's next-generation launch site for Terran R.

About the Role:

As a Director of Structural and Mechanical Engineering, you will be at the forefront of creating a world-class orbital launch site. In this Cape Canaveral-based role, you will be a critical strategic leader overseeing the Launch Structural and Launch Mechanical Engineering teams to drive Launch systems' design, build, and activation. Team details below:

• Launch Structural: Heavy civil and structural, LPS, flame diverter, and launch pad superstructure. Supporting Launch Mechanical or Launch Vehicle systems.
• Launch Mechanical: GSE hardware interfacing directly with the Launch Vehicle, including a fixed umbilical tower, transporter-erector, hold-down and release systems, integration tooling, and custom lifting and transport hardware.

To be successful in this role, you'll need to thrive in ambiguity and be able to lead projects to completion. Ideally, you are someone who has come from a fast-paced aerospace environment, having completed challenging projects and managed teams while collaborating effectively with other key groups. This includes but is not limited to early development, design, drawings, build, and activation of respective systems. You will play a critical role in ensuring the efficiency, accuracy, and compliance of new designs and construction. You will manage structural and mechanical managers, each overseeing their respective areas and teams, and will collaborate closely with other departments to drive operational excellence and support the company's objectives. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of leadership and strategic decision-making in both structural and mechanical design and is willing to roll up their sleeves and be hands-on where necessary.

About You:

• The role is based in Cape Canaveral, FL, and requires a full-time on-site presence at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with up to 10% travel as needed.
• Bachelor's degree in structural engineering, mechanical engineering, or related technical discipline with a minimum of 8+ years of structural or mechanical design/build experience
• Industry leadership experience managing managers and overseeing both structural and mechanical engineering teams.
• Experience with (GSE system assemblies or civil structural components) fabrication, erection, load testing, and operations while adhering to applicable engineering standards (AFSPCMAN 91-710, ASTM, ASME, NASA, DoD, NFPA, API, SAE, AISC, ACI, ASCE, IBC)
• Proficiency in 3D modeling software like NX, AutoCAD AND analysis software such as SAP2000 and ETABS.
• Experience in project management, including defining scopes, optimizing budgets, creating schedules, documenting progress, soliciting bids, selecting contractors, ensuring QA/QC standards, and prioritizing safety protocols.

Nice to haves, but not required:

• 10+ years of structural or mechanical design / build experience working in the aerospace or construction industry or as a Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.)
• Advanced degree or training in engineering, construction, operations, or project management
• Experience working with state or federal government agencies. Experience with facilities and systems within the aerospace industry.
• Experience with FEM structural or mechanical analysis.

Successful candidates must clear a background check administered by the US government to obtain clearance for on-site work at our government partner location in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

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:$209,000—$268,000 USD

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.