Senior Materials & Processes Engineer, Turbomachinery

About the role

In this pivotal position, you will take charge of the materials and processes associated with reusable liquid propulsion turbomachinery. Your responsibilities will encompass the qualification of hardware for flight, the establishment of technical standards, and the advancement of experimental designs that support the Terran R vehicle. This role is integral to ensuring the reliability and efficiency of our propulsion systems.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Act as the leading authority on materials and processes for turbomachinery products and systems, ensuring adherence to industry standards.
• Oversee the qualification processes for materials intended for flight and ensure they meet the requirements for vehicle reuse.
• Develop and uphold engineering specifications and technical standards that guide the materials selection process.
• Spearhead process improvements driven by statistical analysis and lead experimental campaigns to validate new methodologies.
• Collaborate closely with materials staff to identify and bridge technology gaps that may affect product performance.
• Work alongside laboratory teams to thoroughly characterize materials and processes, ensuring they meet project specifications.
• Engage with design engineers to facilitate informed material selection, establish allowable limits, and conduct necessary analyses.
• Coordinate with manufacturing teams to enhance production efficiency and reduce costs while maintaining quality standards.
• Support quality assurance initiatives by validating compliance with established specifications and standards.
• Perform failure analyses and root cause investigations on in-service hardware to enhance reliability and performance.
• Represent the organization in fracture control boards, focusing on strategies for vehicle reuse and safety.
• Proactively escalate any risks to leadership to address and resolve technical challenges that may arise during projects.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in materials science, engineering, or a closely related discipline is essential.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience working with materials in turbomachinery applications is required.
• Proven experience with propulsion hardware, including expertise in material selection, qualification processes, damage tolerance assessments, inspection protocols, risk evaluation, and failure analysis.
• Familiarity with qualifying parts or materials for both additive manufacturing (specifically laser powder bed fusion) and traditional forming techniques (such as forgings, castings, and wrought materials).
• A strong commitment to accountability, interdisciplinary teamwork, and effective execution of projects is crucial.

Nice to have

• Extensive knowledge of the materials challenges associated with reusable rocket engine turbomachinery is advantageous.
• Expertise in various alloy systems, including titanium, aluminum, ferrous, or nickel alloys, is preferred.
• Experience in metallic additive manufacturing, particularly in Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF), is a plus.
• Proficiency in traditional metallic forming processes, including casting and forging, is desirable.
• Familiarity with metallic fusion welding techniques such as GTAW, GMAW, EBW, and Laser Welding is beneficial.
• Understanding of coatings and surface treatments that mitigate corrosion and damage in reusable components would be an asset.
• Proficiency in statistical experimental design and methods for calculating design allowables is a valuable addition.

Skills & tools

• Expertise in materials qualification processes
• Proficient in damage tolerance analysis
• Skilled in conducting failure analysis
• Knowledgeable in statistical experimental design methodologies
• Familiar with additive manufacturing techniques, particularly L-PBF
• Experienced in traditional material forming methods
• Competent in various welding processes, including GTAW, GMAW, EBW, and Laser

Practical notes

Relativity offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes equity options, paid time off (PTO), sick leave, parental leave, and an annual stipend for learning and development. Compensation for this role is determined based on the candidate's qualifications and experience, ensuring a competitive salary structure.

Join us at Relativity, where your expertise will contribute to the future of space exploration and innovation in propulsion technology. We are looking for a dedicated professional who is ready to make a significant impact in the aerospace industry.