Develops, integrates, and operates spacecraft testbeds for mission simulations and hardware-in-the-loop testing. Responsibilities include avionics integration, harness and interface installation, custom load-board design, electrical test hardware validation, and full-stack test program deployment. The role collaborates with software and GNC teams to improve testing and deployment pipelines, requiring embedded systems testing, electronics debugging, scripting, Linux, networking, and monitoring experience.
At Impulse Space, we design and test the hardware and software that power groundbreaking space missions. As a Spacecraft Testbed Engineer at Impulse, you'll build and operate the testbeds that simulate real-world missions, enabling critical testing of avionics, propulsion, embedded software, and flight software. Your work will directly contribute to ensuring mission success for vehicles that operate in some of the most demanding environments imaginable.
Responsibilities
- Develop and construct testbeds for vehicle mission simulations
- Lead the integration of avionics electrical systems, simulation hardware and software, and supporting equipment
- Install harnesses, interface devices, and adapters to connect vehicle avionics with data acquisition and control hardware
- Design custom load boards and test interfaces for simulating avionics signals and loads
- Support fabrication, assembly, and validation of load boards and other electrical test hardware
- Contribute to the design and deployment of full-stack test programs to validate new software and hardware revisions
- Work closely with the Software and GNC teams to develop and improve our test and deployment pipelines
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
- 3+ years experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HITL), hardware-software integration, or embedded systems testing
- Hands-on experience with electronics test equipment, including power supplies, oscilloscopes, digital multimeters (DMMs), signal generators, and electronic loads.
- Experience in Bash, Python, and/or other scripting languages
Preferred Skills and Experience
- 5+ years proven experience in test system development for embedded or avionics systems
- Strong debugging skills in both hardware (analog/digital) and software (Python, C++)
- Familiarity with Linux-based development and deployment environment
- Experience with networking (TCP/IP, serial protocols) and remote hardware control
- Knowledge of logging/monitoring systems like Grafana, InfluxDB, or similar
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
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