Own the cradle-to-grave design, analysis, fabrication, testing, documentation, and integration of pressurized and unpressurized aerospace structures for advanced propulsion space vehicles. Define systems and requirements, establish load cases, support qualification campaigns and production ramp-up, and collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, manufacturing, test, thermal, and loads teams. Apply structural analysis, materials knowledge, design-for-manufacturing, reliability improvements, and verification methods to deliver flightworthy hardware.
As a Mechanical Engineer at Impulse for our Vehicle Engineering Team, you will own all aspects of the design, analysis, build, test and integration of flight hardware – working with cross-functional engineering teams to accomplish this. This means cradle-to-grave ownership of pressurized and/or unpressurized structures in support of Impulse’s collection of next generation advanced propulsion space vehicles.
Responsibilities
- Design, analyze, build, test, and document innovative structures; example systems include primary structure weldments, tank internal fluid/structural devices, payload attachment fittings, and stage propulsion/avionics integration hardware
- Steer system definition, layout, requirements, and verification
- Support first article build through the ramp to production in collaboration with the manufacturing team, rolling in DFM and reliability improvements
- Support development and qualification test campaigns in collaboration with the test team, creating test plans to gather key learnings and demonstrate flightworthiness
- Establish driving load cases and environments in collaboration with the loads/dynamics and thermal teams
- Collaborate effectively with partner teams (such as propulsion, avionics, and GNC) to create a high performing, integrated system
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- 5+ years demonstrated experience designing and analyzing structural aerospace hardware
- Strong knowledge of strength and stability hand calculations for structural sizing and model validation
- Strong understanding of mechanics of materials, material failure modes, and associated analysis methods
- Familiarity with a wide set of manufacturing processes such as machining, welding, forming, and joining methods
- Proficiency with CAD software and assembly management
- Demonstrated experience working collaboratively across different teams
- Ability to communicate technical challenges, explain rationale and/or resolve concerns
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- 7+ years of demonstrated experience designing and analyzing highly performant structures with space-flown hardware
- Experience with aerospace aluminum welding, inspection, and allowables development
- Experience with composite primary or secondary structure design, analysis, and testing
- Experience with payload accommodations, testing, and validation
- Experience with structural testing, validation, and correlation methods
- Experience working on a launch vehicle development effort
- Experience in a startup or agile development environment
- Experience with NX, Teamcenter, Ansys and FEMAP
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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