Relativity Space: Building the Future of Humanity in Space

Company Culture: Where Innovation Meets Purpose

At Relativity Space, we're not just building rockets—we're reimagining how humanity accesses space. Our culture is the secret sauce that powers our groundbreaking work in 3D-printed rockets, autonomous manufacturing, and the future of space infrastructure. Here's what makes our culture unique in the aerospace industry.

Employee Experiences: The Heart of Our Innovation

"The most exciting part of working at Relativity is that we're solving problems no one has solved before," says Sarah Thompson, Lead Propulsion Engineer. "One day I'm running simulations on our Aeon engines, the next I'm on the factory floor troubleshooting with our additive manufacturing team. The collaboration between disciplines is unlike anything I've experienced."

Our employees thrive on tackling challenges that push the boundaries of space technology:

- Rapid Problem-Solving: When our Terran 1 rocket encountered unexpected vibrational harmonics during testing, a cross-functional team of propulsion engineers, materials scientists, and software developers worked 72 hours straight to develop a solution. The fix? A novel lattice structure in our 3D-printed engine components that reduced vibrations by 42%.

- Celebrating Wins: We mark milestones in a big way. When we successfully tested our first fully 3D-printed rocket engine, the entire company gathered for a "Print Party" where we live-streamed the test and celebrated with custom 3D-printed trophies (designed and printed in-house, of course).

- Day-to-Day Collaboration: Our open workspace in Long Beach is designed for spontaneous innovation. "I once solved a critical orbital mechanics problem during a whiteboard session in our café," recalls Mission Operations Specialist Carlos Mendez. "An astrodynamics expert, a GNC engineer, and I were debating trajectory optimization over coffee, and suddenly the solution clicked."

Work Environment: Flexibility Meets Mission-Driven Focus

We understand that building the future of space exploration requires both intense focus and proper rest:

- Hybrid Work Model: While rocket manufacturing requires on-site presence, our software, mission operations, and some engineering teams enjoy hybrid schedules. Our satellite systems team, for instance, works remotely 3 days a week while maintaining critical on-site collaboration during launch campaigns.

- Global Coordination: With suppliers in 12 countries and customers worldwide, we've mastered asynchronous collaboration. Our digital thread platform allows engineers in Long Beach to work seamlessly with partners in Europe and Asia, with all documentation and designs updated in real-time.

- Workspace Design: Our 1-million-square-foot headquarters features:
- A 200,000 sq ft "Factory of the Future" with the world's largest metal 3D printers
- Open collaboration zones with rocket component displays for inspiration
- Quiet "mission control" pods for deep focus work
- A rooftop launch viewing area (because who wouldn't want to watch rocket tests during lunch?)

- Time Off Philosophy: We offer unlimited PTO because we trust our team to manage their time responsibly. "During our Terran R development push, I took a 3-week break to hike the Pacific Crest Trail," shares Avionics Engineer Priya Desai. "I came back refreshed and immediately solved a persistent power distribution issue we'd been struggling with."

Values & Innovation: Printing the Future

Our core values aren't just posters on the wall—they're the foundation of how we operate:

1. Think from First Principles: We question every assumption about rocket design. This led us to develop Stargate, our proprietary 3D printing technology that reduces rocket part count from 100,000 to under 1,000.

2. Bias Toward Action: "The space industry moves slow. We move fast," says CEO Tim Ellis. Our rapid iteration cycle allows us to go from design to test in weeks rather than years. When COVID-19 disrupted supply chains, we pivoted to in-house production of critical components in just 45 days.

3. Embrace the Unknown: Failure is part of the process. We celebrate "productive failures" with monthly "Oops Awards" where teams share what they learned from setbacks. One award went to a team whose engine test resulted in an unexpected (but spectacular) fireball—leading to a breakthrough in combustion stability.

4. Radical Transparency: Every employee has access to our roadmap, financials, and technical challenges. Our weekly "All Hands" includes deep dives into specific engineering problems, not just high-level updates.

Diversity & Inclusion: Strength in Different Perspectives

Space exploration requires diverse thinking, and our team reflects that:

- Representation: 38% of our engineering team are women (compared to the aerospace industry average of 16%), and 45% of leadership positions are held by underrepresented minorities.

- Employee Resource Groups:
- Women in Space Tech (WIST): Hosts monthly "Rocket Women" panels featuring female leaders in aerospace
- Relativity Pride: Organized our first float in the Long Beach Pride Parade with a 3D-printed rocket replica
- Veterans in Space: Connects our military veterans with mentorship opportunities in the space industry

- Global Diversity: With team members from 32 countries, we celebrate our cultural differences. Our annual "International Space Potluck" features dishes from every country represented, with each team member sharing how their cultural background influences their approach to problem-solving.

- Recent Initiatives:
- Partnered with HBCUs to create a pipeline for Black engineers in aerospace
- Launched "Relativity en Español" to better serve our Spanish-speaking team members
- Achieved Mansfield Certification for our commitment to diverse leadership hiring

Community & Impact: Beyond the Launchpad

We believe in using our platform to inspire and give back:

- Industry Leadership: We host the annual "Additive Aerospace" conference, bringing together leaders in 3D printing and space technology. Last year's keynote featured a fireside chat between Elon Musk and our CTO about the future of rocket manufacturing.

- STEM Outreach: Our "Print the Future" program has reached 50,000 students, providing 3D printing workshops and space career mentorship. "A fifth-grader once asked me how we print rocket engines," recalls Outreach Coordinator Jamar Wilson. "When I showed her a time-lapse of our Stargate printer, her eyes lit up—that's why we do this."

- Sustainability: We're committed to making space exploration sustainable:
- Our Terran R rocket is designed to be fully reusable, reducing space debris
- We've eliminated 95% of the waste in traditional rocket manufacturing through 3D printing
- Our Long Beach facility runs on 100% renewable energy

- Recent Recognition:
- Named one of Fast Company's "Most Innovative Companies" for 2023
- Received the Aerospace Industry Association's Diversity Award
- Our CEO Tim Ellis was featured in Forbes' "30 Under 30" for Manufacturing & Industry

Join Our Mission

At Relativity Space, you're not just building rockets—you're building the future of humanity as a multi-planetary species. If you're passionate about pushing the boundaries of space technology and want to work in a culture that values innovation, diversity, and impact, we want to hear from you.

Explore Career Opportunities at Relativity Space