Chief Spacecraft Systems Architect

Impulsespace; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 220,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, Vision & Dental

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Impulse Space seeks a Chief Engineer (Spacecraft) in Redondo Beach to lead the spacecraft architecture, technical direction, and program execution from concept through launch and on-orbit operations.

You will own the system baseline, drive major design decisions, and partner with engineering, manufacturing, test, mission operations, and leadership to ensure mission success in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of demonstrated experience in the spacecraft domain.
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams or managing large-scale technical programs.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills in fast-moving technical environments.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD TS/SCI or TS/SAP security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own the spacecraft system architecture and technical baseline across the full program lifecycle.
• Lead cross-functional technical trade studies and major design decisions to optimize performance, reliability, manufacturability, schedule, and cost.
• Maintain deep understanding of all spacecraft subsystems, interfaces, operational concepts, and mission objectives.
• Drive the program technical roadmap in partnership with subsystem leads and subject matter experts while balancing performance, reliability, schedule, risk, and cost.
• Establish and uphold a high standard of engineering rigor, technical discipline, and configuration control throughout development and operations.
• Identify technical, operational, and programmatic risks early and develop mitigation strategies to ensure mission success.
• Define and oversee vehicle-level readiness and certification processes, including major design reviews, test readiness reviews, and mission readiness activities.
• Serve as the primary technical authority for the program with customers, government stakeholders, launch providers, and external partners.
• Lead resolution of major anomalies and technical issues, driving root cause investigations and corrective actions through closure.
• Champion continuous improvement across vehicle design, production, testing, operations, and organizational processes.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Decision-making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aerospace, or related field

Job description

Impulse Space seeks a Chief Engineer (Spacecraft) in Redondo Beach to lead the spacecraft architecture, technical direction, and program execution from concept through launch and on-orbit operations.

You will own the system baseline, drive major design decisions, and partner with engineering, manufacturing, test, mission operations, and leadership to ensure mission success in a fast-paced environment.