The Role
Operate and support propulsion test campaigns at Mojave, serving as console operator; plan and execute development and qualification tests; develop procedures and automation; configure and verify propulsion hardware, instrumentation, and DAQ; analyze performance data; conduct readiness, hazard, and post-test reviews; collaborate with design engineers to improve engines, stands, and GSE while maintaining operational discipline and safety.
Summary Generated by Built In
As a Propulsion Test Operations Engineer at Impulse, you will be responsible for operating propulsion test facilities at Impulse’s Propulsion Test Facility in Mojave, California. You’ll have the opportunity to work with test stands supporting methane/liquid oxygen and ethane/nitrous propulsion systems, high energy components, and integrated stages.
This role spans every phase of engine testing – from developing procedures and configuring test hardware to directing console operations, analyzing performance data, and improving future test campaigns.
Responsibilities
- ·Serve as a console operator during test campaigns, monitoring engine and facility systems and making informed real-time operational decisions to ensure safe and successful test execution
- Plan and execute development, qualification, and acceptance tests for liquid rocket propulsion systems
- Develop detailed test procedures, operational timelines, and configuration documentation to safely execute propulsion testing
- Configure and verify readiness of propulsion hardware, test stands, fluid systems, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems prior to testing
- Develop and improve operational procedures, automation sequences, and test workflows to increase safety, reliability, and test cadence
- Collaborate with design engineers to incorporate lessons learned into future engine, facility, and ground support equipment designs
- Participate in pre-test readiness reviews, hazard assessments, and post-test technical reviews
- Maintain a strong commitment to operational discipline, personnel safety, and continuous process improvement
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
- 1+ years of experience designing, operating, maintaining, or commissioning complex mechanical or fluid systems
- Fundamental understanding of mechanical systems, fluid systems, thermodynamics, or propulsion engineering
Preferred Skills and Experience
- 3+ years of engineering experience
- Strong engineering fundamentals in Thermal Fluid Systems
- Familiarity with methane/liquid oxygen, liquid oxygen, liquid methane, or other cryogenic fluid systems
- Knowledge of instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples, flow meters, load cells, valves, and data acquisition systems
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, and electrical schematics
- Strong troubleshooting skills with multidisciplinary mechanical, electrical, software, and fluid systems
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to perform effectively during high-intensity test operations
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 Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering discipline
- 1+ years of experience designing, operating, maintaining, or commissioning complex mechanical or fluid systems
- Fundamental understanding of mechanical systems, fluid systems, thermodynamics, or propulsion engineering
- 3+ years of engineering experience
- Strong engineering fundamentals in Thermal Fluid Systems
- Familiarity with methane/liquid oxygen, liquid oxygen, liquid methane, or other cryogenic fluid systems
- Knowledge of instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples, flow meters, load cells, valves, and data acquisition systems
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, and electrical schematics
- Strong troubleshooting skills with multidisciplinary mechanical, electrical, software, and fluid systems
- Excellent communication skills with ability to perform effectively during high-intensity test operations
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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.
