Performs vehicle-level spacecraft testing and develops test equipment for fluid, mechanical, vacuum, environmental, and electrical systems. Owns test assets and campaigns, verifies flight hardware, conducts test operations, resolves technical issues, documents results, and improves automated acceptance testing. Requires hands-on aerospace hardware testing, engineering fundamentals, data analysis, laboratory experience, and the ability to manage multiple campaigns.
As an Spacecraft Test Engineer at Impulse, you will perform a wide range of vehicle level testing while developing and maintaining state-of-the-art test equipment. You will work closely with engineering to improve overall test processes across the company.
Responsibilities
- Design and build fluid, mechanical, vacuum, environmental, and electrical systems in support of spacecraft systems testing
- Fully own key test assets and major test programs while collaborating with wide ranging teams across the company
- Perform verifications of flight hardware and document results in a clear, precise, and complete manner
- Fully own key test assets and major test programs while collaborating with wide ranging teams across the company
- Conduct test operations geared toward rapidly developing hardware for spaceflight
- Resolve technical issues with innovative and resourceful solutions
- Improve processes to enable automated acceptance testing of spacecraft
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
- problems with fluid, vacuum, and electrical systems and implement scrappy solutions
Preferred Skills and Experience
- 2+ years' experience testing aerospace or spaceflight hardware (propulsion systems, structures, mechanisms, avionics)
- Familiarity with high-pressure fluid systems, vacuum 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 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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