Impulse Space

Senior Propulsion Development Engineer (Thrusters)

Posted 13 Days Ago

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Redondo Beach, CA, USA

In-Office

135K-155K Annually

Senior level

Aerospace • Software

The Role

Lead design, analysis, testing, and implementation of storable liquid bipropellant thrusters and subsystems. Plan and execute engine hotfire tests, perform thermal-fluid and materials trades, resolve technical issues, and lead small teams to deliver integrated, high-performance propulsion systems.

Summary Generated by Built In

As a Senior Propulsion Development Engineer (Thrusters) at Impulse, you will own all aspects of in-house propulsion system design, analysis, implementation and operation while working closely with a fast-paced, agile team that produces high-performance spacecraft from clean sheet designs. Building off our successful Mira spacecraft program, Impulse is developing new propulsion systems for on-orbit applications as well as Lander applications. Impulse is looking for development engineers who can contribute to these key hardware development projects.

Responsibilities

Own all aspects of a storable, liquid bipropellant thruster and/or subsystem development
Conduct analysis and testing to ensure that the performance and function of hardware meets intent
Prepare, plan and execute tests including engine hotfire testing
Work with wide-ranging teams across engineering, manufacturing and operations to deliver a reliable, high-performance and highly integrated system
Resolve technical issues with innovative resourceful solutions
Lead technical projects and/or a small team of engineers

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in engineering or science
5+ years of demonstrated experience in the aerospace propulsion field
Prior experience working on bipropellant rocket engines, including hardware and test experience with combustion devices.
Proficiency in basic principles of fluids, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mechanics and materials
Ability to perform system trades ranging from thermal-fluids analyses to materials selection
Hands-on experience working with fluid, mechanical, electrical and controls systems
Demonstrated ability of taking project ownership and working collaboratively with small teams

Preferred Skills and Experience

Advanced degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or a comparable field.
Experience working in fast-paced, startup environment.
Demonstrated technical project leadership over propulsion development programs
Prior experience with combustion devices and ignition system development
Prior experience with nitrous oxide as a propellant
Proficiency in CAD software with ability to learn new tools
Familiarity with aerospace structural analysis standards pertinent to liquid rocket engine development (e.g. NASA-STD-5012, NASA-STD-5020)
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Additional Requirements:

Flexible schedule and willing to travel as needed

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 engineering or science
5+ years of demonstrated experience in the aerospace propulsion field
Prior experience working on bipropellant rocket engines, including hardware and test experience with combustion devices
Proficiency in basic principles of fluids, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mechanics and materials
Ability to perform system trades ranging from thermal-fluids analyses to materials selection
Hands-on experience working with fluid, mechanical, electrical and controls systems
Demonstrated ability of taking project ownership and working collaboratively with small teams
Flexible schedule and willing to travel as needed
Must be a U.S. Person or eligible to obtain an export license under ITAR/EAR
Experience preparing, planning, and executing engine hotfire testing