Manufacturing Engineer (Avionics / RF Electronics)

Impulsespace; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision & dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Impulse Space in Redondo Beach, CA is hiring a Manufacturing Engineer for Avionics and RF electronics to own manufacturing readiness, production support, and test execution for space-grade hardware.

You'll build and test flight avionics hardware, collaborate with design and test teams, and drive DFM/DFA improvements, yielding high first-pass yield and reliable spaceflight electronics. Leveling will be commensurate with experience.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in manufacturing engineering or related roles involving space-grade or RF hardware
• Experience with electronic assemblies, avionics, RF hardware, or similar complex electronics
• Ability to troubleshoot failures and distinguish between device, process, test, and software issues
• Experience interpreting schematics, drawings, and manufacturing docs
• Experience with failure analysis and root-cause investigation
• Experience training technicians and improving processes

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and improve manufacturing processes for avionics RF hardware
• Analyze manufacturing and test data to reduce defects and improve first-pass yield
• Support failure analysis during prototype and production builds
• Collaborate with design and test teams to improve manufacturability
• Support production testing of RF and avionics hardware
• Troubleshoot RF test setups and test failures
• Review logs and data to identify root causes
• Develop and maintain production and test procedures and guides
• Provide day-to-day production floor support and training
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet space reliability requirements

Skills

RF concepts

Troubleshooting

DFM/DFT feedback

Training technicians

Education

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

Tools

Vector Network Analyzer

Spectrum Analyzer

RF Signal Generator

Power Meter

Oscilloscope

Python automation

Test Fixtures

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer (Avionics / RF Electronics)

Department: Avionics

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Redondo Beach

Compensation: $100,000 - $200,000 / year

Description

As a Manufacturing Engineer (Avionics / RF Electronics) at Impulse, you will work with cross-functional teams to build and test flight avionics hardware for space applications, with a focus on RF electronics such as radios, antennas, antenna hats and related electronic assemblies. You will own manufacturing readiness, production support, and test execution for RF hardware.

This role requires a strong understanding of PCBAs, antennas, RF hardware manufacturing, and test, with the ability to support a product throughout its lifecycle from design and development through flight builds and delivery.

Leveling will be commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and improve manufacturing processes for avionics RF hardware, including radios, antennas, antenna hats, RF mechanical assemblies, printed circuit board assemblies, and related space electronics
• Analyze manufacturing and test data to reduce defects, improve quality, increase first-pass yield, and implement process improvements
• Support failure analysis during prototype and production builds to determine root causes
• Collaborate with electrical design, mechanical design, and test automation teams to provide DFM/DFA feedback and improve manufacturability and testability
• Support production testing of RF and avionics hardware, including functional, performance, acceptance, and environmental testing
• Troubleshoot RF test failures and determine whether the root cause is associated with the hardware under test, test setup, instrumentation, or automated test system
• Support existing automated test systems by reviewing test logs and results, troubleshooting failures, and making small software or configuration changes as needed
• Develop and maintain production and test procedures, work instructions, manufacturing documentation, and troubleshooting guides
• Provide day-to-day support to the production floor, resolving build and test issues
• Provide technical guidance and training to manufacturing and test technicians
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure avionics and RF hardware meet reliability and performance requirements for space environments

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
• 2+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, test engineering, electrical engineering, or production support involving space-grade or RF electronic hardware
• Experience supporting and troubleshooting the manufacturing and testing of electronic assemblies, avionics, RF hardware, or similar complex electronics
• Ability to systematically troubleshoot failures and distinguish between device failures, manufacturing defects, test equipment problems, test setup issues, and software or automation failures
• Experience interpreting electrical schematics, engineering drawings, test procedures, specifications, and manufacturing documentation
• Experience with failure analysis and root-cause investigation of electronic hardware
• Experience working with technicians to improve manufacturing processes and conduct technical training

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 3+ years of manufacturing, production test, or hardware engineering experience with avionics, RF electronics, communication systems, or spaceflight hardware
• Experience manufacturing and testing radios, antennas, antenna hats, amplifiers, filters, or other RF hardware
• Strong understanding of fundamental RF concepts and common RF measurements
• Hands-on experience with vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, RF signal generators, power meters, oscilloscopes, and RF test fixtures
• Experience troubleshooting RF test setups
• Experience with automated test environments using Python or similar tools
• Experience reviewing automated test logs, measurement data, and software output to identify whether failures originate in the test system or the hardware under test
• Experience with PCB/PCBA manufacturing, soldering processes, connectors, conformal coating, mechanical integration, or electromechanical assemblies
• Familiarity with workmanship and electronics manufacturing standards such as IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, or equivalent aerospace requirements
• Experience providing DFM, DFA, and DFT feedback for avionics or RF hardware
• Experience with environmental qualification and acceptance testing for spaceflight electronics
• Knowledge of common failure modes affecting RF and electronic hardware in launch and space environments
• Experience working closely with technicians in a fast-paced production environment and independently driving hardware and test issues to root cause

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.