The Role
Lead and grow a propulsion test engineering team to plan, execute, and analyze development and production propulsion tests. Oversee test operations, schedules, resources, and safety across multiple test sites; coordinate test infrastructure and data systems; drive root-cause investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement; ensure technical rigor and operational excellence.
Summary Generated by Built In
As a Manager, Propulsion Test Engineering at Impulse, you will be responsible for testing all aspects of development and production-level propulsion hardware. This team ensures that our propulsion systems meet design intent and performance requirements through rigorous testing, analysis, and validation.
As Manager, you will oversee a team of engineers ranging in experience from entry-level to principal, guiding their technical execution, professional development, and collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams. You’ll own the team’s priorities, performance, and culture—driving high reliability, innovation, and speed in our testing operations.
Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and grow a multidisciplinary team of engineers, from entry level to principal
- Plan, coordinate, and oversee test operations across multiple test sites, develop operator training, and ensure safe, consistent, and high-quality test execution
- Manage test schedules, resources, and priorities to meet program milestones
- Develop and track key operational metrics, identifying opportunities to improve test throughput, reliability, and overall team performance
- Ensure all test operations are conducted in accordance with established safety procedures, hazard controls, and operational standards
- Drive root cause investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement to improve safety, reliability, efficiency, and test quality
- Resolve technical issues with innovative and resourceful solutions
- Coordinate with test equipment, infrastructure, and data systems teams to support current and future testing needs
- Establish and maintain high technical, operational, and professional standards
- Champion a culture of safety, technical rigor, operational excellence, and ownership
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or a related field
- 5+ years of demonstrated experience in development or production test engineering
- Demonstrated success building and developing high-performing engineering teams
- Demonstrated understanding of fluid systems, instrumentation, data acquisition, and control systems
- Proven ability to manage complex test operations safely and effectively
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Master’s degree in an engineering discipline or management field
- 7+ years' relevant experience in rocket, propulsion, or aerospace test engineering
- Familiarity with test automation, data systems, and safety management
Additional Information
- This role is based on-site at our Mojave Test facility at the Mojave Air & Space Port
- Occasional travel to partner locations may be required
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents due to export control regulations
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
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or related field
- 7+ years of demonstrated experience in development or production test engineering
- Demonstrated success building and developing high-performing engineering teams
- Demonstrated understanding of fluid systems, instrumentation, data acquisition, and control systems
- Proven ability to manage complex test operations safely and effectively
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (U.S. Persons)
- On-site work at Mojave Test facility (Mojave Air & Space Port)
- Master's degree in an engineering discipline or management field
- 9+ years experience in rocket, propulsion, or aerospace test engineering
- Familiarity with test automation, data systems, and safety management
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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.
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