Plans, builds, executes, and analyzes tests for in-space mobility hardware. Designs test fixtures for fluid, cryogenic, high-pressure, environmental, mechanical, and structural testing; operates test stands, troubleshoots live events, documents results, and collaborates with design, manufacturing, analysis, and operations teams to mature early-stage designs into flight-ready hardware.
The Development Test Engineer at Impulse, will lead the planning, execution, and analysis of tests critical to validating next-generation in-space mobility systems. This role is highly cross-functional, interfacing with design, analysis, manufacturing, and operations teams to ensure products meet performance, safety, and reliability requirements. The ideal candidate combines strong engineering fundamentals with hands-on test experience in a fast-paced development environment. This position plays a key role in maturing early-stage designs into flight-ready hardware.
Responsibilities
- Design, build, and commission test fixtures for fluid, cryogenic, high-pressure, cyclic, environmental, mechanical, and structural testing
- Execute tests safely and efficiently, including setup, operations, and troubleshooting during live test events
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities
- Work closely with design and manufacturing teams to ensure testability and rapid feedback cycles
- Excellent technical writing and documentation skills
Minimum Qualifications
- 1+ years' professional experience testing aerospace or spaceflight hardware (propulsion systems, structures, mechanisms, avionics)
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or related engineering discipline
- A demonstrated understanding of mechanical, propulsion, fluid, or structural systems
- Strong data analysis skills using tools such as Python, MATLAB, or similar
- Hands-on experience with hardware in a laboratory or test-stand environment
- Ability to manage multiple test campaigns in a fast-paced environment
Preferred Skills and Experience
- 2+ years' experience testing aerospace or spaceflight hardware (propulsion systems, structures, mechanisms, avionics)
- Familiarity with high-pressure fluid systems, cryogenic systems, or hazardous test operations
- Proficiency with instrumentation, DAQ systems, and sensor selection/integration
- Demonstrated ability to develop test plans, execute complex tests, and document results
- Background in designing and automating test setups with NI, LabVIEW, PLCs, or similar platforms
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, FEA/CFD results, and system requirements
- Prior involvement in fast-paced R&D or startup environments with rapid iteration cycles
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, 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.
Impulse Space El Segundo, California, USA Office
El Segundo, CA, United States, 90245
Similar Jobs
Gaming
Develop and maintain automated UI and API tests, test frameworks, and quality engineering processes across platforms and devices. Plan testing strategies, execute functional, integration, regression, and end-to-end tests, investigate automation and CI/CD failures, track defects, and collaborate with engineering and product teams on release readiness and quality improvements.
Top Skills:
AppiumC++Ci/CdCircleCIDockerGitJavaScriptJenkinsPythonRest ApisSeleniumWeb Application Frameworks
Artificial Intelligence • Information Technology • Software • Consulting
Designs and improves test automation frameworks, writes production-quality test code, and embeds quality engineering across the software development lifecycle. Responsibilities include unit, integration, end-to-end, performance, security, API, and database testing for distributed systems. Partners with cross-functional teams, participates in code and design reviews, translates requirements into solutions, and mentors junior engineers.
Top Skills:
AgileBurp SuiteC#Chaos EngineeringCi/CdCypressDistributed SystemsGatlingGrpcJavaJavaScriptJmeterK6LocustMicroservicesOwasp ZapPactPlaywrightPythonRestScrumSeleniumSnykSpring Cloud ContractSQL
Software
Develops electrical, optical, and thermal test plans, algorithms, hardware, software, and automated production test solutions for photonic integrated circuits. Responsibilities include device characterization, instrument control, motion and vision systems, test station qualification, Gage R&R, SPC, documentation, data analysis, troubleshooting, and cross-functional project coordination.
Top Skills:
CC++Electrical/Optical/Thermal ProbingGage R&RJmpLabviewMatlabMotion ControlPhotonic Integrated CircuitsPythonSemiconductor OptoelectronicsSQLStatistical Process Control (Spc)Vb.NetVision Control
What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene
Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.
Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
- Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering
