Manager, Supplier Development Engineering at Relativity Space

Long Beach, California, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

02 Jan, 26

Salary

169000.0

Posted On

04 Oct, 25

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Supplier Quality, Supplier Development, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Systems, APQP, PPAP, FAIRs, PFMEA, Control Plans, Lean Methodologies, Six Sigma, Technical Direction, Process Audits, Data Analysis, Coaching, Mentorship

Industry

Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing

Description

At Relativity Space, we’re building rockets to serve today’s needs and tomorrow’s breakthroughs. Our Terran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launch capacity. But that’s just the start. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock new opportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress that reaches beyond the known. Joining Relativity means becoming part of something where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. Here, you're not just executing tasks; you're solving problems that haven’t been solved before, helping develop a rocket, a factory, and a business from the ground up. Whether you’re in propulsion, manufacturing, software, avionics, or a corporate function, you’ll 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 we’re writing together. Now is a unique moment in time where it’s early enough to leave your mark on the product, the process, and the culture, but far enough along that Terran R is tangible and picking up momentum. The most meaningful work of your career is waiting. Join us. About the Team: The Quality team is focused on embedding quality into every part of the design and production process for Terran R. As the Manager of Supplier Development Engineering, you will own and scale the quality system and the team responsible for ensuring a robust, capable, and compliant supply chain. You will be responsible for defining the team's strategy, setting key performance indicators (KPIs), and developing the engineering talent necessary to support the scaled production of the Terran R program. About the Role: Leadership, Strategy & Management People Leadership: Lead, coach, and mentor a team of Supplier Development Engineers, fostering a culture of ownership, data-driven decision-making, and continuous professional development. Strategic Oversight: Develop the long-term supplier development strategy and capability roadmap in alignment with Terran R’s production and launch milestones and overall quality objectives. Process Ownership: Define, deploy, and enforce the Supplier Quality Management System, policies, and procedures across the supply base to ensure compliance with standards like AS9100 and ISO 9001. Performance Management: Establish and manage the key metrics (e.g., PPM, on-time PPAP approval, yield) and utilize supplier scorecards to monitor, report, and drive improvement across critical suppliers. Risk & Issue Escalation: Own the escalation and resolution of major supplier-related quality or capacity issues, providing technical direction to the team using disciplined problem-solving methodologies like 8D. Cross-Functional Partnership: Act as the primary liaison between Supplier Development, internal Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain leadership to ensure alignment on supplier qualification, technical requirements, and New Product Introduction (NPI) goals. Functional & Technical Execution Supplier Qualification & NPI: Oversee the team's efforts to identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers and processes for NPI, ensuring early supplier involvement to meet aggressive product timelines. Process Assurance: Drive the effective application of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) principles across the supply base, including rigorous Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) reviews during the design phase. Deliverable Approval: Manage the review and approval of Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) and First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs), ensuring all critical components and assemblies meet quality and engineering specifications. Continuous Improvement: Direct the team in conducting process audits and implementing Lean methodologies and Six Sigma principles at supplier sites to improve yield, cycle time, and overall manufacturing robustness. Technical Authority: Ensure the team serves as the technical point of contact, resolving complex manufacturing and quality issues (including GD&T, tooling, and materials) to protect production schedules for Terran R parts. About You: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Industrial, or a related technical field). 8+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Supplier Development, or Manufacturing Engineering, ideally within the aerospace or a high-reliability/safety-critical industry. 3+ years of direct people management experience, including coaching, mentorship, and performance management of an engineering team. Expert knowledge of quality systems (AS9100/ISO 9001) and core quality tools (APQP, PPAP, FAIRs, PFMEA, Control Plans). Proven ability to define and own a process from scratch and roll it out to a diverse team. Willingness to travel up to 50% of the work week when needed. Nice to haves but not required: Professional Certification such as Six Sigma Black Belt, ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE), or PMP. Familiarity with high-volume inspection methods and data-driven acceptance methods. Strong knowledge of enterprise applications (i.e., PLM, ERP, MES) and proficient in data analysis. 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: $152,000—$169,000 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.

Responsibilities

Lead and mentor a team of Supplier Development Engineers while developing the long-term supplier development strategy. Ensure compliance with quality standards and manage supplier-related quality issues.