Senior Responsible Engineer, Valves

About the role

You will own the end-to-end technical lifecycle for flow control valves on the Terran R vehicle, translating high-level system requirements into detailed valve architectures that balance performance, mass, and manufacturability. You will lead the design and analysis of clean-sheet cryogenic, pneumatic, proportional, and solenoid valves, ensuring they meet stringent propulsion and vehicle-level requirements. You will conduct detailed fluid, thermal, and structural analysis of individual parts and assemblies to guide design decisions and resolve emerging issues. You will plan and execute development and qualification testing for internally developed valves, coordinating with test teams to iterate designs based on results. You will perform trade studies to evaluate competing valve architectures and select solutions that satisfy system constraints and risk profiles. You will provide technical leadership across cross-functional teams, influencing requirements and ensuring alignment between design intent and flight hardware. You will mentor junior engineers, establishing best practices for analysis, verification, and documentation within the Stage Fluids organization. Your work will directly impact vehicle performance, reliability, and launch success, giving you visibility from design through flight.

Key facts

What you'll do

Design and analyze clean-sheet cryogenic, pneumatic, proportional, or solenoid valves for Terran R propulsion systems.

Conduct detailed fluid, thermal, and structural analysis of valve parts and assemblies to validate performance under extreme conditions.

Develop and execute qualification test plans and procedures for internally developed valves to prove compliance with requirements.

Support engine and vehicle testing campaigns for existing flow control products, analyzing test data and implementing design improvements.

Perform trade studies to compare valve architectures and select optimal designs that satisfy system requirements and risk constraints.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including propulsion, manufacturing, and avionics, to ensure integrated functionality and manufacturability.

Own technical documentation and deliverables, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with internal standards and regulatory requirements.

Apply engineering fundamentals in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and structural mechanics to solve complex problems.

Use programming languages such as Matlab, Python, or C++ to automate analysis tasks, process test data, and develop tools that improve efficiency.

Leverage CFD and FEA tools, including ANSYS, to model internal flows, thermal behavior, and structural loads under mission conditions.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering discipline, such as Mechanical Engineering or a related field.

5+ years of professional engineering experience applying fundamentals in thermodynamics, structures, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer.

Direct experience with valve design, analysis, and qualification in demanding environments.

Proven experience using programming languages such as Matlab, Python, or C++ for analysis or automation.

Hands-on experience with CFD and FEA tools, specifically ANSYS, to guide design and validation decisions.

Demonstrated ability to work independently and make decisions in a fast-paced, autonomous environment.

Strong written and verbal communication skills to articulate technical rationale to both engineers and stakeholders.

Commitment to Relativity values of ownership, bias for action, and rigorous problem-solving.

Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship for this role.

Nice to have

Experience with propulsion systems and flight hardware development.

Knowledge of clean-sheet valve development from concept through qualification.

Background in test planning, execution, and data analysis for fluid control hardware.

Exposure to regulatory or quality standards relevant to aerospace hardware.

Practical notes

This role is based in Long Beach, California, and requires on-site presence at the factory.

Employment is full-time, and candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

The compensation range provided reflects base salary only and does not include equity or other potential bonuses.

Candidates must be able to start as soon as business operations allow, with precise onboarding details confirmed during hiring.

Relativity is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce.