Design, build, and operate optomechanical test setups for spacecraft components. Own test assets and programs, coordinate vendors, perform test setups, inspections, troubleshooting, data acquisition, and environmental qualification testing to rapidly develop flight hardware.
As an Optical Test Engineer at Impulse, you will be responsible for designing, procuring, assembling, and operating optomechanical test setups while working closely with a fast paced, agile team that produces high-performance spacecraft from clean sheet designs.
Responsibilities
- Design and build optical, mechanical, and electrical systems in support of spacecraft optomechanical components
- Fully own key test assets and major test programs while collaborating with wide ranging teams across the company
- 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, optical, aerospace, electrical engineering or related field
- 3+ years of experience in optical hardware development testing
- Strong engineering fundamentals in optical, mechanical, and electrical analysis
- Prior hands-on operational experience working with test facilities
- Previously demonstrated ownership of test stand design and build-up
- 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
- Advanced degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline
- 4+ years of experience in hardware development testing
- Familiarity with optical testing methods to determine metrics such as MTF, distortion and wavefront error
- Demonstrated hardware testing experience with star trackers, cameras, lasers or other spacecraft optical components
- Experience with Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, or similar optical modeling tools
- Familiarity with environmental qualification testing for flight hardware
- Prior experience with optical alignment and precision metrology
- 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.
Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. 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
Fintech • Financial Services
Build and manage consumer and business customer relationships through consultative banking conversations, proactive outreach, referrals, and tailored deposit, lending, credit, and investment solutions. Resolve account inquiries, promote digital banking adoption, document interactions, follow risk and compliance procedures, and collaborate with Wealth, Home Lending, and Business Banking partners. The role requires obtaining and maintaining FINRA and state insurance licenses and working most Saturdays.
Fintech • Financial Services
Provides personalized banking support across multiple branches, builds customer relationships, identifies financial needs, recommends banking products and services, supports account openings and credit applications, performs teller transactions, and makes referrals. The role requires adapting to different branch environments, following risk and compliance standards, using digital banking tools, collaborating with teammates, and traveling throughout the assigned geography, including Saturday work.
Fintech • Financial Services
Supports financial advisors by servicing client accounts, handling account requests and inquiries, preparing forms, scheduling appointments, maintaining regulatory records, tracking referrals, coordinating marketing campaigns, and completing administrative and operational activities. Requires brokerage client services experience and active FINRA licensing, including Series 7 and 63 examinations. The role is based in Manhattan Beach, California, and does not offer visa sponsorship.
Top Skills:
ExcelMS OfficeMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerpointMicrosoft Word
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
