Impulse Space

Test Automation Intern (Summer 2027)

Posted 3 Days Ago

Be an Early Applicant

Redondo Beach, CA, USA

In-Office

30-30 Hourly

Internship

Aerospace • Software

The Role

Supports development, deployment, integration, debugging, and validation of software tools and test infrastructure for spacecraft technology. Assists with data acquisition, hardware control, automation, and test operations across active test stands and laboratory environments. Collaborates with test engineers and operations teams, contributes to code reviews and documentation, and improves development workflows. The 12-week internship is on-site in Redondo Beach, California, with occasional overtime possible.

Summary Generated by Built In

As a Test Automation Engineering Intern, you will support the development of

software, tools, and test infrastructure used across Impulse’s testing operations.

You will work closely with a fast-paced, agile team building the systems that

enable rapid development and validation of spacecraft technology.

*This internship is 12 weeks long from May/June through August/September 2027.

Responsibilities

• Support the deployment, integration, and debugging of software tools used for

data acquisition, hardware control, automation, and test operations across active

test stands and lab environments.

• Participate in test operations by helping configure, validate, and troubleshoot

software and control systems.

• Collaborate closely with test engineers and operations teams in Redondo Beach

and Mojave to ensure software meets real test needs.

• Contribute to code reviews, documentation, and improvements to development

workflows (including git).

Minimum Qualifications

• Recent completion of or actively working toward a Bachelor’s degree in

Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.

• Demonstrated coursework or hands-on experience with Python or another

object-oriented programming language.

• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of projects and work effectively in a

small, fast-paced team.

• Interest in software that interacts with hardware, sensors, test equipment, or

control systems.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with data acquisition systems, hardware control, or real-time test

environments.

• Working knowledge of basic lab/test equipment (DAQs, sensors, power supplies,

instrumentation).

• Experience with LabVIEW, C++, Real-Time Operating Systems, or embedded

systems development.

• Prior experience building software or hardware projects in academic,
competition, or internship settings.
Additional Requirements
• Willing and able to work on-site in Redondo Beach, CA for the duration of the
internship.
• Role may require occasional overtime; 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.
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

Recent completion of or active enrollment in a Bachelor's degree program in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
Coursework or hands-on experience with Python or another object-oriented programming language
Ability to take ownership of projects and work effectively in a small, fast-paced team
Interest in software interacting with hardware, sensors, test equipment, or control systems
Willingness and ability to work on-site in Redondo Beach, California, for the internship duration
U.S. Person status or eligibility to obtain an applicable U.S. export license under ITAR/EAR requirements
Experience with data acquisition systems, hardware control, or real-time test environments
Working knowledge of laboratory and test equipment, including DAQs, sensors, power supplies, and instrumentation
Experience with LabVIEW, C++, real-time operating systems, or embedded systems development
Prior academic, competition, internship, software, or hardware project experience