The Role
Supports the design, fabrication, integration, and testing of electric propulsion systems and ground support equipment. Responsibilities include operating vacuum chambers and diagnostics, preparing and executing test campaigns, analyzing results, creating CAD designs and engineering documentation, troubleshooting hardware, and collaborating with mechanical, thermal, and controls engineers. The internship provides hands-on experience in propulsion laboratories and spacecraft hardware development.
Summary Generated by Built In
Impulse Space is seeking an Electric Propulsion Engineering Intern to support the development and testing of electric propulsion systems for our Mira spacecraft. As an intern, you will work alongside experienced propulsion engineers on projects spanning concept design, lab testing, manufacturing, and hardware integration. This role provides hands-on experience with vacuum chamber testing, diagnostics, and hardware development, offering an opportunity to contribute directly to technologies enabling deep-space missions.
*This internship is 12 weeks long from May/June through August/September 2027
*This internship is 12 weeks long from May/June through August/September 2027
Responsibilities
- Assist in the design, assembly, and operation of electric propulsion test facilities, including vacuum chambers and diagnostics equipment
- Support the development, fabrication, analysis, and testing of electric propulsion hardware and ground support equipment
- Contribute to test campaigns by preparing setups, executing procedures under supervision, and analyzing results
- Assist in component design using CAD tools and help prepare engineering drawings and documentation
- Support interdisciplinary activities, collaborating with mechanical, thermal, and controls engineers on integration and testing
- Participate in hardware build, troubleshooting, and process improvement efforts
Minimum Qualifications
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or related field
- Familiarity with CAD software and basic design principles
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced environment
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Hands-on experience in an aerospace, propulsion, or experimental research lab setting
- Experience with vacuum systems, high-voltage equipment, or plasma devices
- Familiarity with instrumentation, data acquisition, or test automation tools
- Knowledge of thermal or structural analysis methods
Additional Requirements
- Willing and able to work on-site in Redondo Beach, CA for the duration of the internship
- This role may require overtime hours; interns are eligible for overtime pay.
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.
Skills Required
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
- Familiarity with CAD software and basic design principles
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced environment
- Willing and able to work on-site in Redondo Beach, California, for the internship duration
- Ability to work overtime when required
- U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence, protected-individual status, or eligibility to obtain required ITAR authorizations
- Hands-on experience in an aerospace, propulsion, or experimental research laboratory
- Experience with vacuum systems, high-voltage equipment, or plasma devices
- Familiarity with instrumentation, data acquisition, or test automation tools
- Knowledge of thermal or structural analysis methods
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The Company
What We Do
Impulse enables low-cost and nimble last-mile space payload delivery - access any orbit, reach other worlds.
