The Role
Lead technical execution and integration for large, multi-mission space programs from kickoff through delivery. Manage customer interfaces, negotiate with launch providers, translate requirements into SOWs, drive mission assurance and readiness reviews, resolve technical anomalies, and build scalable processes and documentation. Occasionally travel (<20%).
Summary Generated by Built In
As a Sr. Mission Manager at Impulse, you will be directly responsible for driving customer missions to successful outcomes. At Impulse, you will direct complex, multi-mission portfolios from contract kickoff through delivery. Acting as the senior technical authority for customer interfaces, you will align cross-functional business development, engineering, and mission operations teams to execute programs across the commercial, civil space, and national security lines of business.
Responsibilities
- Own the complete technical execution and integration lifecycle for large-scale, high-visibility customer programs from kickoff through delivery
- Drive high-stakes technical negotiations and interface directly with launch service providers, partners, and executive stakeholders
- Translate complex customer requirements and non-standard architecture trades into robust, executable Statements of Work (SOWs) alongside business development, mission design, and proposal management
- Serve as the primary technical liaison for customer-led mission assurance reviews, independent readiness reviews, and launch site/operations integration
- Rapidly isolate and resolve critical technical anomalies and programmatic roadblocks across active programs
- Build scalable departmental frameworks, technical documentation standards, and cross-training initiatives to eliminate single points of failure
- Occasionally travel to support key customer meetings or hardware integration events (less than 20% travel)
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical field
- 8+ years of experience as a mission manager or program manager in the space industry
- Demonstrated experience managing complex spacecraft or launch vehicle programs
- Deep understanding of primary aerospace technical disciplines, with the ability to lead discussions and customer interactions
- Demonstrated experience coordinating across internal regulatory and compliance teams to manage customer requirements and external agency interfaces
- Proficiency with planning and managing complex schedules
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Active security clearance or willingness to obtain
- Experience in a customer-facing role within a fast-paced startup environment
- Experience participating in or leading formal program milestone reviews (PDR, CDR, FRR)
- Familiarity with spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing (AI&T)
- Familiarity with launch operations and/or spacecraft operations
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to hold strategic internal influence and handle difficult customer or technical requirements effectively
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 a technical field
- 8+ years of experience as a mission manager or program manager in the space industry
- Demonstrated experience managing complex spacecraft or launch vehicle programs
- Deep understanding of primary aerospace technical disciplines and ability to lead customer discussions
- Experience coordinating with regulatory and compliance teams and managing external agency interfaces
- Proficiency with planning and managing complex schedules
- Must be a U.S. Person or eligible to obtain an export license under U.S. export regulations (ITAR/EAR)
- Active security clearance or willingness to obtain
- Experience in a customer-facing role within a fast-paced startup environment
- Experience participating in or leading formal program milestone reviews (PDR, CDR, FRR)
- Familiarity with spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing (AI&T)
- Familiarity with launch operations and/or spacecraft operations
- Exceptional communication skills and ability to influence internally and handle difficult customer or technical requirements
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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.
