About the Role
As the Lead Avionics Survivability Engineer, you will lead the survivability team responsible for ensuring Terran R's electrical and electronic systems can withstand the harsh environments of launch and spaceflight. Your team will oversee electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), radiation effects, and EEE (Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical) component reliability across the entire vehicle—from individual avionics components to vehicle-level system integration. You will drive analysis, test planning, qualification campaigns, and verification activities to ensure compliance with mission requirements and industry standards. This is a highly cross-functional role requiring coordination across avionics, propulsion, structures, GNC, flight software, and external stakeholders to establish survivability requirements, assess risks, and implement mitigation strategies. A strong candidate for this role will combine deep technical expertise in EMC, radiation effects, or physics with proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage complex test programs, and influence design decisions across the entire vehicle architecture.
About You
Bachelor's degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
7+ years of experience in survivability engineering for harsh environments and mission-critical applications (including, but not limited to, launch vehicles, spacecraft, aircraft, or defense systems)
Technical background in at least two of the following domains: EMC/EMI, radiation effects (TID, SEE, displacement damage), or EEE component reliability and parts engineering
Working knowledge of the space environment and related effects including radiation belts, solar particle events, galactic cosmic rays, vacuum, thermal extremes, and electromagnetic environments
Experience leading cross-functional teams and coordinating technical efforts across multiple engineering disciplines and internal customers
Experience driving survivability requirements definition, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies from early design through qualification and flight
Experience with industry standards such as MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-464, NASA EEE-INST-002, ECSS standards, or equivalent
Experience planning and overseeing complex test programs including EMC testing, radiation testing, and component qualification
Strong communication skills with ability to influence design decisions and advocate for survivability considerations across the organization
Nice to haves but not required
Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field with focus on electromagnetics, radiation physics, or materials science
Hands-on experience with EMC test facilities, radiation test facilities (proton/heavy ion accelerators), or environmental test chambers
Familiarity with electromagnetic simulation tools (CST, FEKO, HFSS)
Experience with parts selection, derating, and reliability prediction methodologies (FMECA, Reliability Block Diagrams, Physics of Failure)
Knowledge of single event effects (SEE) mitigation techniques including EDAC, triple modular redundancy, and radiation-hardened design
Experience with destructive physical analysis (DPA) and failure analysis of electronic components
Familiarity with launch vehicle or spacecraft-specific standards and requirements (SMC-S-016, SSCMAN 91-710, RCC319-19, NASA-STD-8739.10)
Experience establishing test facilities, laboratories, or qualification infrastructure
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
$151,000—$227,000 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.
