Materials Characterization Technician

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 Materials and NDE (Non-Destructive Evaluation) team plays a central role in enabling Terran R to fly, re-fly, and scale: developing, characterizing, and inspecting materials and processes across all parts of the vehicle. From welding and additive manufacturing to advanced composites, the team works at the intersection of innovation and execution, balancing performance and reliability with cost, quality, and schedule. As we move toward first flight and beyond, the challenges become more exciting, offering opportunities to shape how we design and develop for re-use. With ownership across products, systems, and disciplines, engineers gain broad exposure and drive key decisions across design, manufacturing, and operations.

About the Role:

• Perform tensile, compression, hardness, fatigue, and other mechanical tests according to approved procedures
• Prepare, measure, identify, and inspect test specimens to confirm they meet testing requirements
• Set up test fixtures, grips, extensometers, and instrumentation appropriate for each test
• Operate mechanical testing equipment and monitor tests for abnormal behavior
• Record test conditions, observations, and results accurately while maintaining specimen traceability
• Review data for completeness and flag unexpected results, equipment issues, or procedural deviations
• Complete routine equipment checks and maintenance; verify calibration status before use
• Troubleshoot common setup and equipment problems, escalating issues when needed
• Work with engineers and other technicians to coordinate testing priorities and schedules
• Support training of newer technicians on established procedures and safe equipment operation
• Maintain a clean, organized laboratory and follow all safety requirements

About You: 

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Typically two or more years of relevant experience in mechanical testing, materials testing, or a laboratory environment
• Working knowledge of mechanical testing equipment, specimen preparation, and measurement tools
• Ability to read technical drawings, work instructions, and applicable ASTM testing procedures
• Understanding of basic material properties, including yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, and hardness
• Ability to use testing software, enter data, and prepare clear test documentation
• Strong attention to detail, communication, and problem-solving skills

Nice to haves, but not required:

• Associate degree or technical certification in materials science, mechanical technology, or a related field
• Experience with metallic materials, aerospace applications, and servo-hydraulic or electromechanical test systems
• Familiarity with fatigue testing, extensometers, load cells, and data acquisition systems.

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:$25.80—$38.70 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.

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at accommodations@relativityspace.com.

Please note: Relativity Space does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate profiles, or referrals from recruitment agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited submission - via email, our website, social media, or directly to an employee - will be deemed the property of Relativity Space, and no fee will be owed absent a current, fully executed agreement with Talent Acquisition that specifically authorizes submissions for the applicable role.