Senior Avionics Hardware Engineer

About the role

You will take ownership of the design, development, and delivery of spacecraft avionics systems from concept through flight. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to create reliable, high-performance avionics that enable deep-space exploration. This role requires a highly motivated engineer who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can execute with autonomy. You will help define the foundation of Relativity's future interplanetary avionics architecture while setting the technical standards for future team growth. Essential duties include developing complete avionics systems, from initial concept through flight-qualified hardware, and guiding technical decisions across the program. You will partner closely with propulsion, guidance and control, thermal, and mission assurance teams to ensure seamless integration. Your work will directly support the Terran R vehicle and the broader mission of making planetary research faster, more affordable, and more capable. The most meaningful work of your career is waiting, and you will leave a lasting mark on the product, the process, and the culture.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop complete avionics systems, including architecture, design, integration, and verification, from initial concept through flight-qualified hardware.
• Collaborate with propulsion, guidance and control, thermal, and mission assurance teams to ensure seamless integration of avionics components.
• Define and maintain hardware requirements, ensuring alignment with system-level performance, reliability, and safety objectives.
• Create and review technical designs, schematics, and documentation that meet aerospace standards and mission needs.
• Lead the development and execution of verification and validation test plans to confirm hardware functionality and robustness.
• Support qualification and acceptance testing, analyzing results and driving corrective actions when necessary.
• Implement processes and tools to improve design efficiency, traceability, and manufacturability across the avionics lifecycle.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership within the avionics hardware community.
• Partner with software and firmware teams to ensure cohesive interfaces and reliable end-to-end system behavior.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and methods to enhance avionics performance, cost, and schedule outcomes.
• Contribute to cross-functional design reviews, risk assessments, and decision-making activities.
• Drive a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement in all hardware development efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field required; Master's degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in avionics hardware design, development, and qualification for space applications.
• 3+ years of leadership experience guiding hardware design and integration activities.
• Demonstrated expertise with digital and analog circuit design, including FPGA and ASIC-level knowledge.
• Strong proficiency with PCB design tools, schematic capture, and layout using industry-standard software.
• Experience with space-qualified components, radiation effects, and mitigation techniques such as TID and SEE.
• Solid understanding of communication protocols such as SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, CAN, or Ethernet-based avionics networks.
• Hands-on experience with test and measurement equipment, including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and spectrum analyzers.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Willingness to participate in periodic design reviews, audits, and compliance activities as needed.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.
• Must be willing to relocate to Long Beach, California, or the designated Relativity facility location.
• Must pass a background check and meet all applicable security requirements as determined by Relativity.

Nice to have

• Experience with flight software development and test automation.
• Familiarity with DO-254 or similar hardware assurance standards.
• Knowledge of additive manufacturing or in-space propulsion systems.
• Experience in a high-volume manufacturing or production environment.

Practical notes

This role is based in Long Beach, California. Employment is full-time. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future. Relativity reserves the right to adjust roles, responsibilities, and requirements as the mission evolves.