Optical Communications System Responsible Engineer

At Relativity Space were building rockets to serve todays needs and tomorrows breakthroughs. OurTerran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit meeting the growing demand for launchcapacity. But thats just the start. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock newopportunities to advance science exploration and innovation pioneering progress that reaches beyondthe known.

Joining Relativity means becoming part of something where autonomy ownership and impact exist at every level. Here youre not just executing tasks; youre solving problems that havent been solved before helping develop a rocket a factory and a business from the ground up. Whether youre in propulsion manufacturing software avionics or a corporate function youll 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 were writing together. Nowis a unique moment in time where its early enough to leave your mark on the product the process andthe culture but far enough along that Terran R is tangible and picking up momentum. The mostmeaningful work of your career is waiting. Join us.

About the Team:

The Interplanetary Program was established to expand access to scientific exploration across our solar system. Its mission is to make planetary research faster more affordable and more capable than ever before by rethinking how science missions are designed built and operated. The program aims to enable scientists to send instruments to distant worlds without decades of development or prohibitive costs. By creating a sustainable model for interplanetary exploration we are transforming space science from an occasional event into a continuous process of discovery that accelerates knowledge broadens participation and inspires the next generation of explorers.

About the Role:

As an Optical Communications System Responsible Engineer within the Interplanetary Program you will own the end-to-end architecture design development and delivery of a deep-space optical communications terminal. You will be responsible for translating mission needs into system performance requirements developing architectures and driving implementation through in-house design or external partnerships.

This role offers the opportunity to define and execute one of the most critical technologies enabling next-generation interplanetary missions. You will operate in a fast-paced iterative environment where rapid prototyping early testing and continuous learning are key to success. Youll lead hands-on development campaigns to evaluate key technologies derisk interfaces and validate performance before full system integration.

Youll work across internal and external teams to turn concepts into hardware balancing agility and rigor as you move quickly from analysis to prototypes to flight-ready systems. Ultimately you will lead the effort to deliver a robust high-performance optical communications capability that enables breakthrough science across the solar system.

About You:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Electrical Engineering Optical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering or a related technical field
• 7 years of experience in laser communications optical systems engineering or spacecraft communications system development
• Proven ability to take complex technical systems from concept through qualification integration and operational deployment
• Hands-on proficiency in electromechanical prototyping including integration of optics electronics and mechanical subsystems such as gimbals pointing mechanisms and precision mounts
• Deep understanding of optical communications subsystems including pointing acquisition and tracking (PAT); modems; and photonic hardware
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to synthesize technical details and drive decision-making across engineering and program teams

Nice to haves but not required:

• Experience with spaceflight hardware environmental testing and qualification
• Familiarity with NASA or commercial spacecraft systems engineering processes in an applied / New-Space manner is a plus
• Experience with deep-space or high-radiation avionics systems

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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