Senior Materials & Processes Engineer, Propulsion

As a Senior Materials & Processes Engineer in Propulsion at Relativity Space, your primary responsibilities will include functioning as an M&P focal point for Terran R propulsion projects, qualifying laser powder bed fusion techniques, driving part qualification activities, and developing technical specifications. You’ll collaborate closely with multiple teams to improve processes, troubleshoot issues, and ensure compliance with engineering standards.

To qualify for the Senior Materials & Processes Engineer position at Relativity Space, candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in materials science or engineering, or a related field, along with 5+ years of relevant experience in materials and processes, particularly in propulsion hardware. Experience with laser powder bed fusion systems and general M&P activities like material selection and failure analysis is crucial.

Ideal candidates for the Senior Materials & Processes Engineer position at Relativity Space will have experience with titanium alloy systems and metallic additive processes. Familiarity with Ni-based superalloys, surface modification processes, and statistical experimental design methodologies is also beneficial, contributing to the effective qualification of materials used in propulsion applications.

At Relativity Space, collaboration is key. As a Senior Materials & Processes Engineer, you will interface with various teams such as materials engineering, quality assurance, and product engineering to identify technology gaps, ensure specifications are met, and drive improvements. Your ability to establish strong interdisciplinary relationships will be essential to advancing our projects.

The compensation range for the Senior Materials & Processes Engineer at Relativity Space is competitive, ranging between $133,000 and $170,500 USD. This figure is based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors, and is part of a comprehensive total rewards package that also includes equity, generous PTO, parental leave, and a learning and development stipend.

In responding to this question, detail specific projects where you utilized laser powder bed fusion techniques. Discuss any challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and the results of your work. This showcases your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities.

When answering, explain your methodical process for materials selection, highlighting factors like mechanical properties, thermal stability, and manufacturing compatibility. Be sure to mention collaboration with designers and engineers to meet specific performance requirements.

This question aims to assess your analytical skills. Share a specific anecdote where you identified the root cause of a failure, the investigative methods used, and the corrective actions implemented. This illustrates your expertise in failure analysis.

Demonstrate your knowledge of statistical methods, discussing tools such as Design of Experiments (DOE) or response surface methodologies. Explain how these techniques inform experiments and optimize outcomes, particularly in material qualification.

Discuss your commitment to continuous learning by attending conferences, publishing research, or participating in professional organizations relevant to materials science. This illustrates your proactive approach to staying updated with industry trends.

Address potential challenges such as evolving technology, tight project deadlines, or interdisciplinary collaboration. Discuss your strategies for navigating these issues, showcasing your proactive mindset and problem-solving skills.

Share your experience with quality assurance processes, detailing how you collaborate with QA teams, conduct thorough tests, and document findings to ensure that all projects adhere to the required standards and specifications.

Detail the specific techniques you've worked with, such as microscopy, spectroscopy, or mechanical testing. Explain how you applied these methods to characterize materials and inform decisions during the development processes.

Discuss your personal strategies for promoting teamwork, such as holding regular meetings, encouraging open communication, and leveraging the diverse skills within the team to maximize productivity and creativity.

Provide examples of projects where you worked with cross-functional teams. Highlight the communication strategies you employed, such as regular updates and feedback loops, ensuring everyone stayed aligned on goals and progress.