Senior Mechanical Engineer, Tooling

About the role

This position centers on the development of tooling and automation infrastructure essential for the production of the Terran R rocket and the Aeon engine. You will operate within a cross-functional team that connects design intent with manufacturing execution, responsible for delivering a wide variety of hardware solutions. The scope of your work will span from large structural fixtures down to highly specialized manual tools used on the factory floor. You will be positioned to contribute directly to ongoing factory automation efforts as Relativity expands operations across existing and future facility locations. This role requires collaboration with multiple disciplines to ensure tooling solutions are practical, scalable, and robust. You will help define the standards and processes that enable high-volume production in a rapidly growing aerospace environment. Success in this position means enabling the manufacturing team to meet demanding production targets without compromising quality or safety. Your contributions will be visible within the tooling organization and will support the long-term repeatability of launch vehicle production.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Design and deliver tooling and automation equipment for the Terran vehicle and Aeon engine production lines, ensuring solutions meet functional and operational requirements.
• Apply mechanical design and analysis principles across projects of varying scope and complexity, adapting methods to suit the constraints of a fast-moving production environment.
• Produce tooling drawings in accordance with ASME Y14.5 standards, emphasizing geometric dimensioning and tolerancing to clearly communicate specifications to vendors and manufacturing teams.
• Solve a broad range of technical challenges involving material handling systems, assembly fixtures, off-loaders, rotisseries, test fixtures, structural weldments, environmental chambers, and custom machinery.
• Collaborate closely with component designers, manufacturing engineers, and integration teams to optimize factors such as safety, cost, quality, cycle time, delivery schedules, reliability, lifespan, and maintenance requirements.
• Manage the full project lifecycle for tooling assignments, overseeing activities from initial vendor selection through fabrication, inspection, installation, and final commissioning on the production floor.
• Partner with process and production teams to validate tooling performance, ensuring that each solution supports efficient and consistent manufacturing operations.
• Document design decisions, changes, and test results in a clear and organized manner to support future iterations and knowledge transfer within the tooling group.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by analyzing tooling performance, identifying bottlenecks, and proposing modifications that enhance throughput or reliability.
• Maintain awareness of production priorities and timelines, aligning tooling deliverables with the overall launch and manufacturing schedule as required.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or an equivalent technical field.
• Bring a minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience designing, building, and commissioning tooling and fixtures for manufacturing, assembly, or test operations.
• Demonstrate proficiency with CAD and FEA software for structural analysis, with specific preference for NX and ANSYS Workbench.
• Provide a track record of successfully seeing projects through completion across their full lifecycle, from concept to implementation.
• Show background in strategic planning and project management activities specifically related to production tooling development.
• Exhibit strong understanding of engineering drawings, specifications, and quality requirements as applied to tooling and fixtures.
• Communicate effectively in a team environment, contributing to reviews, design discussions, and problem-solving sessions.
• Adhere to Relativity policies regarding safety, quality, and documentation standards in all tooling activities.

Nice to have

• Deep knowledge of design for manufacturability and design for assembly principles, including strategies for prototype-to-production transitions.
• Familiarity with common manufacturing materials, GD&T practices, and methods for tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Understanding of standard manufacturing processes and equipment, including machining operations on mills and lathes, welding, sheet-metal bending, lifting and rigging procedures, assembly methods, and inspection techniques.
• Experience designing custom machines that incorporate motors, actuators, linear rails, pneumatics, and bearings in a production-focused context.

Practical notes

• This is a full-time position based in Long Beach, California.
• Relativity is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes diverse candidates.
• The listed hiring range of $122,000 to $182,000 USD reflects the compensation band for this role and is subject to determination based on experience, qualifications, and job-related factors.
• Benefits for this role may include equity, generous paid time off and sick leave, parental leave, and an annual learning and development stipend as outlined in company policy.
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for this role.
• Relativity maintains a drug-free workplace and may conduct pre-employment drug screening in compliance with local laws.
• This role may require occasional travel within the Long Beach facility and to external vendor locations as project needs dictate.
• The scope and responsibilities of this position are subject to change based on business needs and evolving production requirements.