Impulse Space

Chief Engineer (Interceptors)

Posted 13 Days Ago

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Redondo Beach, CA, USA

In-Office

220K-260K Annually

Expert/Leader

Aerospace • Software

The Role

Technical authority for architecture, development, and mission success of interceptor spacecraft. Own system architecture, lead cross-functional trade studies, manage risk, oversee readiness/certification, resolve major anomalies, and coordinate with stakeholders across development, manufacturing, test, and operations.

Summary Generated by Built In

As a Chief Engineer (Interceptors) at Impulse, you will be the technical authority responsible for the architecture, development, and mission success of next-generation national security space systems. This role owns the end-to-end technical direction of a high-performance interceptor platform operating in demanding mission environments with extreme reliability, responsiveness, and operational constraints. The ideal candidate combines deep spacecraft and missile-defense expertise with exceptional systems engineering leadership and execution.

As Chief Engineer, you will partner closely with engineering, manufacturing, test, mission operations, and executive leadership to drive technical decisions, manage program risk, and ensure delivery of highly reliable space systems.

Responsibilities

Own the system architecture and technical baseline across the full program lifecycle
Lead cross-functional technical trade studies and major design decisions to optimize performance, reliability, manufacturability, schedule, and cost
Maintain deep understanding of all subsystems, interfaces, operational concepts, and mission objectives
Drive the program technical roadmap in partnership with subsystem leads and subject matter experts while balancing performance, reliability, schedule, risk, and cost
Establish and uphold a high standard of engineering rigor, technical discipline, and configuration control throughout development and operations
Identify technical, operational, and programmatic risks early and develop mitigation strategies to ensure mission success
Define and oversee vehicle-level readiness and certification processes, including major design reviews, test readiness reviews, and mission readiness activities
Serve as the primary technical authority for the program with customers, government stakeholders, launch providers, and external partners
Lead resolution of major anomalies and technical issues, driving root cause investigations and corrective actions through closure
Champion continuous improvement across vehicle design, production, testing, operations, and organizational processes

Minimum Qualifications

10+ years of relevant experience in the spacecraft domain
5+ years of experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams or managing large-scale technical programs
Proven track record of managing hardware programs through the full lifecycle
Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills in fast-moving technical environments
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD TS/SCI or TS/SAP security clearance
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aerospace, or related field

Preferred Skills and Experience

12+ years' of experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams or managing large-scale technical programs
Direct experience serving as Chief Engineer, Deputy Chief Engineer, System Lead, or equivalent technical authority for spacecraft, missile defense, interceptor, or other high-performance aerospace systems
Deep understanding of space-based defense architectures, responsive space operations, and mission-critical system design
Strong knowledge of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), propulsion, avionics, autonomy, and mission systems for maneuverable space vehicles
Deep hands-on familiarity with spacecraft integration, environmental testing, launch campaigns, mission operations, and anomaly resolution
Active TS/SCI security clearance
Experience scaling engineering organizations and development processes within rapidly growing aerospace companies
Intimate knowledge of U.S. Department of Defense standards and requirements

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.

Skills Required

10+ years of relevant experience in the spacecraft domain
5+ years of experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams or managing large-scale technical programs
Proven track record of managing hardware programs through the full lifecycle
Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills in fast-moving technical environments
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD TS/SCI or TS/SAP security clearance
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aerospace, or related field
12+ years' of experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams or managing large-scale technical programs
Direct experience serving as Chief Engineer, Deputy Chief Engineer, System Lead, or equivalent technical authority for spacecraft, missile defense, interceptor, or other high-performance aerospace systems
Deep understanding of space-based defense architectures, responsive space operations, and mission-critical system design
Strong knowledge of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), propulsion, avionics, autonomy, and mission systems
Deep hands-on familiarity with spacecraft integration, environmental testing, launch campaigns, mission operations, and anomaly resolution
Active TS/SCI security clearance
Experience scaling engineering organizations and development processes within rapidly growing aerospace companies
Intimate knowledge of U.S. Department of Defense standards and requirements