Senior Propulsion Test Engineer
Impulse Space
Quality Assurance
Posted on Jan 24, 2025
As a Sr. Propulsion Test Engineer at Impulse, you will be responsible for all aspects of test equipment design and test operations while working closely with a fast paced, agile team that produces high-performance spacecraft from clean sheet designs.
- Department
- Propulsion Engineering
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Redondo Beach
- Workplace type
- Onsite
- Compensation
- $110,000 - $180,000 / year
- Reporting To
- Kevin Miller, VP of Propulsion
Responsibilities
- Design and build fluid, mechanical and electrical systems in support of liquid rocket propulsion and spacecraft systems testing
- Fully own key test assets and major test programs while collaborating with wide ranging teams across the company, including Redondo Beach and Mojave
- Coordinate with external vendors and contractors to meet project technical and schedule objectives
- Perform test setup, hardware inspections, checkouts and troubleshooting as needed
- Conduct test operations geared toward rapidly developing hardware for spaceflight
- Resolve technical issues with innovative and resourceful solutions
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical engineering or related field
- 5+ years of experience in hardware development testing
- Strong engineering fundamentals in thermal, structural, and fluids analysis
- Prior hands-on operational experience working with aerospace test facilities
- Previously demonstrated ownership of test stand design and build-up
- Able to create and clearly communicate fluid P&IDs, electrical and controls schematics
- Able to identify and procure appropriate test equipment
- Proficient with data acquisition and control methods
- Demonstrated ability of taking project ownership and working well in small teams
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Demonstrated prior experience working with complex systems including cryogenic propellants, high pressure gas systems, hydraulics and/or combustion devices
- Demonstrated working knowledge of components (valves, regulators, sensors, power supplies) and hands-on skills (tube fabrication, metalworking, wiring)
- Demonstrated hardware testing experience with rocket engines, or spacecraft
- Experience in a startup or agile development environment
Additional Requirements:
- Flexible schedule and willing to travel as needed
Additional Information:
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
About Impulse Space
Impulse Space, the in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, is opening access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with its fleet of in-space transportation vehicles. The high-energy Helios vehicle unlocks orbits beyond LEO with its powerful Deneb engine, dropping off payloads in MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits. The flight-proven Mira vehicle uses a nontoxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system to offer orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry services to customers throughout LEO. Led by a team that delivered the most reliable rockets in history, Impulse provides economical and efficient in-space transportation by reliably and rapidly getting customers where they want to go.
Our Hiring Process
Stage 1:
Application Received
Stage 2:
Resume Review
Don't see the right opportunity? Register your interest and be notified when it becomes available