Analyze and validate dynamic behavior of liquid rocket propulsion systems using engine and flight test data. Develop vibration environments, finite element models, forcing functions, and structural response predictions. Lead dynamic testing, instrumentation planning, data processing, model correlation, and interface-load analysis. Support propulsion stability and POGO analyses while collaborating with propulsion, test, instrumentation, and design teams.
As a Propulsion Dynamics Engineer at Impulse, your core responsibility will be to characterize, analyze, and validate the dynamic behavior and environments of our liquid rocket propulsion systems. You will work closely with propulsion, dynamics, test, and instrumentation teams to evaluate engine test data, develop dynamic environments, support component testing, and improve analytical predictions of propulsion hardware response.
Responsibilities
- Analyze dynamic data from engine development, qualification, and flight testing to characterize structural response, identify anomalous behavior, and monitor hardware health
- Develop propulsion component vibration environments from engine and flight data for use in structural analysis and qualification testing
- Develop and apply engine-level finite element models and forcing functions to predict structural dynamic response, component environments, and interface loads, including modal, harmonic, random vibration, and transient analyses
- Analyze and direct dynamic testing of propulsion hardware from pre-test analysis and instrumentation planning through post-test data reduction and model correlation
- Develop tools and methods for processing dynamic test data, including time and frequency domain analysis, filtering, spectral analysis, and PSD generation
- Support propulsion system stability and POGO analysis through analytical modeling and correlation with test and flight data
- Work with instrumentation and test engineers on sensor selection, placement, sampling, and signal conditioning for dynamic measurements
- Effectively communicate results to Responsible Engineers and Designers and collaborate on improvements and solutions
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field
- 4+ years of demonstrated experience with structural dynamics, vibration, or dynamic testing of high-performance systems
- Proficient with at least one industry-standard structural FEA package (Femap/Patran/NASTRAN, ANSYS, Abaqus, etc.)
- Demonstrated experience solving structural dynamics and vibration problems using analytical and numerical methods
- Demonstrated experience with time and frequency domain analysis and processing of dynamic test data
- Demonstrated proficiency with MATLAB, Python, or similar applications
- Working knowledge of dynamic instrumentation and signal processing
- Ability to communicate technical challenges, explain rationale and/or resolve concerns
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Graduate degree (MS / PhD) in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field
- Experience with liquid rocket engines, propulsion systems, or launch vehicle development
- 6+ years hands-on experience with dynamic structural testing, including: random vibration, acoustics, sine vibration, sine burst, shock, and modal survey
- Strong knowledge of accelerometers, dynamic pressure transducers, strain measurement, data acquisition, signal conditioning, sampling, filtering, and spectral analysis
- Experience developing vibration environments from engine, vehicle, or flight test data
- Experience developing and correlating system-level finite element models for prediction of dynamic interface loads and component response
- Experience characterizing turbomachinery or other rotating machinery excitation and structural response
- Experience with propulsion system stability or POGO analysis
- Previous experience in a startup or agile development environment
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
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