Sr Technical Program Manager, Materials & NDE

Company: Relativity Space
Location: Long Beach
Posted on: March 6, 2025

Job Description:

Sr Technical Program Manager, Materials & NDELong Beach, CaliforniaAt Relativity Space, we have two audacious goals: to build the next great commercial launch company with Terran R and to become America's leading force in additive manufacturing innovation. Both contribute to our long-term vision of creating humanity's industrial base on Mars, paving the way for interplanetary life to expand the possibilities of the human experience. This journey begins right here on Earth - where we design, build, and fly rockets to deliver customer payloads to orbit. Terran R, our medium-to-heavy lift reusable rocket, fulfills the growing demand for launch capacity, thanks to our iterative approach that accelerates design, testing, and development while minimizing costs. While our groundbreaking research and development in 3D printing pushes the boundaries of large-scale additive manufacturing.Your journey with us is more than just a job - it's an opportunity to shape the future of aerospace technology, additive manufacturing, and the human experience alongside a community of passionate, creative individuals. Join us on this extraordinary journey, as we work together to transform our vision into reality.About the Team:Relativity's Materials & NDE department is responsible for the development, characterization, and inspection of materials across the Terran R launch vehicle and Relativity additive products. The department comprises several technical teams, including M&P Engineering, our Materials Lab, Weld Development, and Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE). We specialize in rapid implementation of material and joining systems through robust internal testing capabilities and first principles-driven qualification approaches. We have recently made our first primary structure tank barrel, supported the introduction of next-generation powder additive alloys for the Aeon-R engine, and developed 100% in-cell NDE inspection capabilities for WAAM (wire-arc additively manufactured) hardware.About the Role:We are hiring a Senior Technical Program Manager to work at the program level supporting the translation of strategy to execution across all Materials & NDE work streams from design, manufacture, inspection, test, and operations of the Terran R launch system. Successful candidates in this role will be asked to analyze and drive recommendations for decisions that balance the needs of the technical and manufacturing teams as well as the business overall, actively manage schedules, proactively identify programmatic risk and implement mitigation plans, collaborate with senior management to communicate change and manage resources, implement Program Management strategies (for each MNDE function and supporting enterprise toolsets), and drive alignment across all company functions by coordinating teams through clear and regular communication. Where there are multiple paths to choose, this individual will help align the teams on a common pursuit. Where there are points of impasse, this individual will build a bridge. High judgment, strong leadership, and leading through influence are foundational elements for this role.

• Timeline/Schedule: Analyze requirements, resources, and dependencies, to create and rally the team around a reliable timeline and schedule. Progress Tracking & Reporting: Monitor and report on the progress towards organizational goals, objectives, and milestones. Facilitate strong communication within the team and ensure transparent communication of program status to relevant stakeholders.
• Dependency Mapping: Work with cross-functional teams to determine and evangelize dependencies that are critical to program deliverables.
• Programmatic Risk Management: Identify risks to the program across all variables (time, requirements, resources, dependencies, etc.) and serve as the primary interface between Materials & NDE and our program risk management process.
• Planning: Use data to drive and participate in planning exercises, not only in service to timeline/schedule building, but also to ensure departments have the right resource plan to enable our aggressive goals. Enable the effective planning and management of time as a resource by assisting technical and production leaders in estimating effort and scoping headcount requirements.
• Resource Management: Identify resource gaps and orchestrate cross-functional planning for resource allocation, including headcount, budget allocation, and workspace needs. Ensure efficient utilization of resources to support program and departmental objectives.About You:
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or related fields; aerospace, electrical, or mechanical engineering degree preferred
  • 3+ years of experience in a program management role on a complex technical project
  • Experience managing programs across matrix organizations, building sustainable processes, and coordinating design releases and key engineering trades
  • Proven ability to lead by influence and collaborate with technical owners (engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, test, and launch) to establish a plan without crowding out their ownership
  • Proven ability to solve complex technical problems and design robust, scalable solutions
  • Strong executive presence, including ability to drive clarity and action across all levels within the company
  • Robust communication skills across numerous stakeholders and teams as well as navigating both technical and strategic discussions
  • Experience and measurable evidence of solving ambiguous problems, including the introduction of new tools and processes
  • Ability to understand and communicate dependencies and other technical information across a technically complex projectNice to haves but not required:
    • Experience with hardware product development
    • Experience in vehicle design, manufacturing, test or operations (plus points for launch vehicle experience)
    • MBA, Master's in engineering, science, mathematics or related fields, or equivalent experience preferredAt 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:$130,000 - $166,000 USDWe 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.Apply for this job* indicates a required fieldFirst Name *Last Name *Email *Phone *Location (City)Resume/CV *LinkedIn ProfileWhy Relativity?If your location differs from the location posted on the job description, are you willing to commute and/or relocate for this role? If not, please explain: *How did you hear about us? *
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Keywords: Relativity Space, Long Beach , Sr Technical Program Manager, Materials & NDE, IT / Software / Systems , Long Beach, California