Senior Mechanical Design & Analysis Engineer, Tooling

About the role

You will design and develop factory automation and manufacturing tools to support the Terran R vehicle and Aeon engine programs. This role requires a hands-on engineer who owns the complete definition and validation of production tooling, ensuring designs translate efficiently from concept to floor deployment. You will manage the full project lifecycle from initial concept and analysis through fabrication, installation, and final commissioning on the factory floor. The position demands rigorous application of mechanical design and analysis principles to solve complex tooling challenges across projects of varying scales and constraints. You will be responsible for producing high-quality production and development tooling solutions that meet demanding performance and safety standards. Collaboration is central to this role, as you work closely with manufacturing, integration, and component design teams to optimize safety, cost, quality, cycle time, and maintenance. Your work will directly influence the manufacturability and reliability of critical aerospace hardware, supporting the successful execution of Relativity mission objectives.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Create high-quality production and development tooling solutions using advanced engineering methods.
• Integrate mechanical design and analysis principles across projects of varying scales, balancing performance with practicality.
• Produce tooling drawing definitions while strictly applying ASME Y14.5 standards to ensure clarity and compliance.
• Manage diverse hardware including structural weldments, test fixtures, rotisseries, off-loaders, assembly fixtures, environmental chambers, and custom machinery.
• Partner with manufacturing, integration, and component design teams to optimize safety, cost, quality, cycle time, and maintenance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Oversee vendor selection, fabrication, inspection, and equipment installation to guarantee delivery against specifications and schedules.
• Perform detailed structural and mechanical analysis using FEA-based tools to validate tooling integrity under demanding conditions.
• Define and control engineering requirements for tooling, translating programmatic needs into precise mechanical specifications.
• Lead design for manufacturability and assembly efforts, streamlining processes as products move from prototype to production.
• Drive tolerance stack-up analysis and GD&T strategies to ensure parts fit and function correctly in the final assembly.
• Apply knowledge of manufacturing processes such as welding, milling, lathes, sheet-metal bending, and rigging to refine tool designs.
• Design and specify custom machinery, including actuators, motors, pneumatics, linear rails, and bearings, to meet unique operational demands.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Possess 6+ years of professional or project experience designing, building, and commissioning manufacturing, assembly, and test tooling for complex systems.
• Demonstrate proficiency in CAD and FEA-based analysis software for structural applications, with a strong ability to interpret and generate analysis results.
• Show a proven track record of managing full-cycle projects, including planning, execution, and strategic buildouts for production environments.
• Exhibit strict adherence to engineering standards and specifications, ensuring all tooling designs comply with ASME Y14.5 and related documentation practices.
• Display strong problem-solving skills when addressing design constraints, manufacturing limitations, and field installation challenges.
• Communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, conveying technical concepts clearly to both engineering and production personnel.
• Maintain a commitment to safety and quality, implementing best practices throughout the design, fabrication, and commissioning processes.

Nice to have

• Expertise in design for manufacturability and assembly, including transitioning products from prototype to production with minimal iteration.
• Proficiency in tolerance stack-up analysis and GD&T, using advanced methods to control dimensional variability.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes such as welding, milling, lathes, sheet-metal bending, and rigging to inform practical design decisions.
• Experience designing custom machinery, including actuators, motors, pneumatics, linear rails, and bearings, for high-performance applications.

Practical notes

Relativity provides competitive salary and equity, parental leave, PTO, sick leave, and an annual learning and development stipend. The company is an equal opportunity employer.

This role is based in Long Beach, California, and is offered as a full-time position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for this position at this time. Relativity is an equal opportunity employer, welcoming diverse talent and fostering an inclusive environment for all team members. The listed compensation range reflects minimum and maximum values, with final offers tailored to candidate experience, skills, and relevant factors. The annual learning and development stipend supports continued professional growth through training, conferences, and related educational resources. Travel requirements are not applicable for this position, and all onboarding processes will follow company-standard procedures.