Senior Friction Stir Welding Technician, First Shift

Long Beach, California

At Relativity Space, we’re building rockets to serve today’s needs and tomorrow’s breakthroughs. Our Terran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launch capacity. But that’s just the start. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock new opportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress that reaches beyond the known.

Joining Relativity means becoming part of something where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. Here, you're not just executing tasks; you're solving problems that haven’t been solved before, helping develop a rocket, a factory, and a business from the ground up. Whether you’re in propulsion, manufacturing, software, avionics, or a corporate function, you’ll collaborate across teams, shape decisions, and see your work come to life in record time. Relativity is a place where creativity and technical rigor go hand in hand, and your voice will help define the stories we’re writing together. Now is a unique moment in time where it’s early enough to leave your mark on the product, the process, and the culture, but far enough along that Terran R is tangible and picking up momentum. The most meaningful work of your career is waiting. Join us.

About the Team:  

The Stage Manufacturing team turns design into reality, owning the build of Terran R’s primary structures. This isn’t about turning the same bolt every day; it’s about building the systems to build the rocket. Engineers and technicians work side by side, with deep collaboration and real-time feedback, to shape how we build better and faster. With a manifest and a launch date, it’s up to the team to deliver on Terran R: solving challenges in real time, optimizing for scale, and constantly improving processes. As the vehicle evolves, so will the factory, with opportunities to apply automation, machine learning, and advanced technologies. What we build here sets the blueprint for the future of scaled launch.

This is a 1st shift position, with hours: 6:00am-2:30pm PT.

About the Role: 

  • Develop Manufacturing Processes: Collaborate with engineering and technician teams to develop and productionize Friction Stir Welding processes which will include: 
    • Bringing new equipment online 
    • Aiding in weld parameter and program development 
    • Helping set up the production shop floor following 5S principles 
    • Completing the first frictions stir welds on both development and flight hardware 
  • Production Processes: Lead day to day production tasks which will include: 
    • Loading and unloading panels and/or barrels with the use of overhead cranes 
    • Installing structural mechanical piece parts 
    • Performing panel dimensional fitment inspections 
    • Accurately use precision measuring tools such as micrometers, calipers, and torque wrenches 
    • Operating FSW machinery to execute weld programs 
    • Performing visual weld inspections  
    • Perform precision blending using hand tools to prepare metallic surfaces for welding and non-destructive evaluation 
  • Problem Solving: Identify and resolve issues in the manufacturing machinery process, which could include defects in materials, equipment malfunctions, or inefficiencies in production methods. 
  • Safety: Ensure all operations are being run in accordance to Relativity Space standards 
  • Teamwork: Foster and inclusive environment for all members of the team.  

About You:  

  • 5+ years of aerospace mechanical experience or related field 
  • 3+ years experience with friction stir welding (Aluminum 2195 preferred) 
  • Experience in using common inspection tools and torque wrenches 
  • Ability to adapt in fast paced environments 
  • Ability to work at heights and lift 25 lbs  

Nice to haves but not required:  

  • Experience with rigging and crane operations 
  • Strong understanding of aerospace materials 
  • Proficiency with CNC machining, Robotics, and/or FSW programming 
  • Use in-depth familiarity of GD&T to interpret blueprints and/or inspections at all assembly levels  

 

Benefits:
  • 100% health care coverage on your first day
  • Quarterly wellness stipend to use on health and wellness
  • Partnership with Modern Health with access to 8 therapy & coaching sessions and mental health resources
  • Discounts on gym memberships, travel and entertainment through PerkSpot
  • Unlimited onsite snacks
  • Free lunch on Mondays and Fridays
  • Annual learning and development stipend
  • PPE Stipend
  • Pet Insurance through Fetch
  • Company Paid Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, and Long Term Disability
  • Up to 12 weeks salary continuation for paid pregnancy disability leave
  • 8 Weeks company paid parental leave
  • Access to One Medical

 

At Relativity Space, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.

Compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more! To see some of the benefits & perks we offer, please visit here.

Hiring Range:

$35.25 - $45.65 USD

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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