Stage Development Engineer II, Vehicle Build

About the role

The Vehicle Build team acts as the primary engineering point of contact for the Terran R program, managing the lifecycle of the vehicle from design through flight and reuse. You will balance performance, cost, and schedule requirements while defining operational concepts and verification procedures for complex aerospace hardware. In this capacity, you will serve as a key liaison between design, manufacturing, and operations to ensure alignment on vehicle requirements and acceptance criteria. The role demands a solutions-oriented mindset to resolve emerging issues across the build and test lifecycle while maintaining strict traceability. You will own the execution of build and test plans, ensuring that each vehicle iteration meets predefined technical and program objectives. This position requires proactive risk management and the ability to adapt procedures as new data and program constraints arise. You will contribute directly to the development of operational concepts that support efficient vehicle processing and launch operations. Ultimately, your work will ensure that vehicle builds are repeatable, scalable, and aligned with program timelines and performance targets.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Evaluate trade-offs between technical, financial, and schedule constraints to propose viable solutions for vehicle integration challenges.
• Manage the scope of verification activities for vehicle integration, testing, and launch site operations to ensure comprehensive coverage.
• Maintain consistency in quality and process throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle, from initial build to flight and potential reuse.
• Lead systems through qualification, acceptance, and hotfire test campaigns by preparing detailed test objectives, matrices, and plans.
• Support manufacturing teams by managing off-nominal work scope and implementing corrective actions to enable production scaling.
• Develop and update technical documentation that reflects the current state of the vehicle build and verification efforts.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to resolve issues that arise during build, test, and pre-launch preparation phases.
• Interpret program requirements and translate them into actionable verification steps for the vehicle build process.
• Track and report on key performance indicators to assess build health and readiness for critical milestones.
• Facilitate design reviews and build walkdowns to ensure alignment between engineering drawings and physical hardware.
• Perform root cause analysis on build and test anomalies and contribute to corrective action plans.
• Collaborate with test engineers to develop test procedures that reflect operational realities and vehicle capabilities.
• Ensure all build and test activities comply with internal standards and regulatory requirements as applicable.
• Act as a technical authority for vehicle build-related decisions within the defined scope of the role.
• Provide input on tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing processes to improve build efficiency and reliability.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field is required for this role.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in aerospace or a related technical field.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with shifting deadlines and requirements.
• Technical aptitude with a foundational understanding of mechanical, fluids, and avionics disciplines is necessary.
• Experience with interpreting engineering drawings and technical specifications is essential.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required to convey technical information clearly.
• Willingness to travel to test and launch sites as required for vehicle build and test activities.
• Ability to work independently and make sound technical decisions with limited supervision.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance as required by program needs.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe work environment by following all safety procedures and protocols.

Nice to have

• Graduate degree in engineering or a related field may be preferred.
• Experience with aerospace ERP systems and technical planning documentation is advantageous.
• Background in the design, manufacturing, assembly, and testing of complex aerospace systems.
• Ability to communicate complex technical issues to diverse audiences effectively.
• Leadership or coordination experience in multidisciplinary projects, specifically leading by influence without direct authority.

Practical notes

• Travel to test and launch sites is required for this role.
• The position may involve shifted schedules or weekend work during critical project milestones.
• Compensation includes salary and equity, alongside PTO, sick leave, parental leave, and an annual learning and development stipend.
• Relativity is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations are available by contacting accommodations@relativityspace.com.