Director, Machining
At 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:
The mission of the Machine Shop is to deliver high-precision, high-quality machined components while pioneering advanced manufacturing methods to support the rapid development and production of Terran-R’s reusable launch system. Through cross-functional collaboration, rigorous quality control, and a commitment to continuous improvement, we play a vital role in accelerating aerospace innovation.
We are responsible for machining critical flight hardware, optimizing manufacturing processes, and ensuring efficiency, reliability, and scalability in high-rate production. Over the past year, the Machine Shop team has successfully developed and refined machining processes for complex propulsion components. Now, we are entering a critical phase: scaling our machining operations to support full-rate vehicle production and enable Terran-R’s first launch to orbit.
About the Role:
- Own all machining operations company-wide, including the engine and vehicle machining work centers supporting propulsion and vehicle hardware.
- Lead and scale a high-performing organization across programming, machine operation, manufacturing engineering, and shop floor leadership to deliver high-complexity, tight-tolerance parts at rate.
- Drive execution and rigor in daily operations, ensuring production adheres to schedule, cost, quality, and safety standards while quickly resolving constraints and disruptions.
- Develop and implement long-term machining strategy, including capital planning, asset utilization, shift structure, and capacity planning to meet program milestones and future rate demands.
- Partner cross-functionally with design engineering, manufacturing engineering, supply chain, and quality to ensure part manufacturability, robust process capability, and supplier alignment.
- Champion advanced manufacturing technologies, such as automation, digital work instruction systems, and machine monitoring tools to increase efficiency and traceability across operations.
About You:
- 12+ years of experience in machining or precision manufacturing, with at least 7 years in a leadership role over multiple teams or machining centers.
- Proven experience managing multi-axis CNC operations, high-precision part production, and end-to-end ownership of machining workflows.
- Demonstrated success scaling machining throughput, improving cycle times, and optimizing machine utilization in a fast-paced, high-mix environment.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing engineering principles, DFM, GD&T, tooling strategy, and machining best practices for aerospace-grade materials (e.g., Inconel, titanium, aluminum).
- Experience working cross-functionally with engineering, production, and supply chain to solve problems and drive aligned outcomes.
Nice to haves but not required:
- Background in aerospace propulsion or spaceflight machining, including components for engines, tanks, or structural assemblies.
- Experience implementing digital machine monitoring, MES, and tool life management systems to support traceability and predictive maintenance.
- Expertise with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and automation strategies applied to high-precision machining environments.
- Experience selecting, commissioning, and scaling new machining equipment and work centers in a development or growth-stage company.
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.
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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We are building the future of aerospace. A rocket company at the core, Relativity Space is on a mission to become the next great commercial launch company. Terran R, our medium-to-heavy lift reusable launch vehicle, will reliably deliver payloads...
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