Manager, Spacecraft Testbeds (HITL/HIL)

Impulse Space; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

Impulse Space is seeking a Spacecraft Testbed Engineering Manager in Redondo Beach to lead a team delivering spacecraft testbeds (ironbirds, flatsats, HITL) and collaborate with software, GNC and avionics groups. You will own hardware architecture and ensure timely delivery for vehicle development and mission validation.

You will guide electrical interfaces, harnesses, and test hardware, while aligning with EGSE platforms and standard designs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related field.
• 7+ years building electrical test systems including HITL and avionics integration.
• 2+ years leading engineering teams or programs.
• Strong knowledge of electrical test system design and avionics interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor engineers in spacecraft testbed hardware design, integration and deployment.
• Define testbed requirements with software/avionics teams and translate needs into hardware designs.
• Own electrical/hardware architecture for space testbeds including avionics interfaces and HITL hardware.
• Set priorities, schedules, and resource plans to support vehicle development and test campaigns.
• Coordinate fabrication, assembly, integration, and checkout of testbeds across teams.
• Ensure testbed reliability, maintainability and scalable designs with proper documentation.

Skills

Hardware design

System integration

Electrical troubleshooting

Technical leadership

Avionics interfaces

Python

C++

Linux

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science

Tools

HITL

EGSE

Job description

Department: Assembly, Integration & Test

Location: Redondo Beach

Compensation: $175,000 - $205,000 / year

Description

As the Spacecraft Testbed Engineering Manager at Impulse, you'll lead a team responsible for designing, developing, and delivering spacecraft testbeds, including ironbirds, flatsats, and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) test systems. You'll work closely with Software, GNC, and Avionics teams to translate testing requirements into reliable hardware solutions, ensuring testbeds are delivered on schedule and ready to support vehicle development and mission validation.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers responsible for spacecraft testbed hardware design, integration, and deployment


• Collaborate with Flight Software, Embedded Software, GNC, and Avionics teams to define testbed requirements and translate simulation and validation needs into hardware designs


• Own the electrical and hardware architecture of spacecraft ironbirds, flatsats, and HITL testbeds, including avionics interfaces, simulation hardware, and supporting equipment


• Establish technical priorities, project schedules, resource plans, and delivery milestones to support vehicle development and test campaigns


• Oversee the design and development of custom electrical interfaces, load boards, harnesses, and supporting test hardware


• Coordinate engineering and technician resources to ensure timely fabrication, assembly, integration, commissioning, and checkout of spacecraft testbeds


• Align testbed hardware architecture with Avionics Test and Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) platforms, leveraging common designs, components, and tooling


• Ensure testbed reliability, maintainability, and scalability through standardized designs, processes, and documentation


• Provide technical leadership in troubleshooting complex electrical and hardware-software integration issues

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field


• 7+ years of experience developing electrical test systems, including hardware-in-the-loop (HITL), avionics integration, embedded hardware testing, or related fields


• 2+ years of experience leading engineering teams, projects, or technical programs


• Strong understanding of electrical test system design, avionics interfaces, instrumentation, and hands-on electrical troubleshooting


• Experience designing and deploying complex electrical test systems involving instrumentation, signal conditioning, and hardware interfaces


• Experience managing engineering schedules, resources, and deliverables across multiple concurrent projects


• Strong communication, organizational, and technical problem-solving skills

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Experience managing, mentoring, and developing multidisciplinary engineering teams


• Experience developing ironbirds, flatsats, or HITL testbeds for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or other complex embedded systems


• Familiarity with HITL software architectures, real-time simulation, and their implications for hardware selection and system design


• Experience with avionics test equipment, EGSE, and reusable test hardware platforms


• Strong electrical troubleshooting skills across analog and digital systems


• Familiarity with Linux-based systems, Python, C++, and hardware-software integration


• Experience with networking (TCP/IP, serial protocols) and remote hardware control


• Experience establishing standardized hardware architectures and coordinating fabrication, assembly, and deployment across multiple programs

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.