Materials Technician (ASTM/Tensile Test)

Impulse Space; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision & dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Impulse Space in Redondo Beach is seeking a Materials Engineering Technician to anchor mechanical testing capabilities in the lab. You will perform a wide range of tests on metals, polymers, composites, and ceramics used in orbital vehicles and propulsion systems.

You will follow ASTM/ISO standards, ensure data integrity, and maintain test setups and equipment. A minimum high school diploma and hands-on testing experience are required; associate’s degree and 5+ years are preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• 3+ years of direct experience operating mechanical testing equipment in a laboratory.
• Experience testing metals, polymers, composites, and ceramics.
• Knowledge of mechanical testing standards (e.g., ASTM E8, D3039, D638, C1161) and specimen geometry.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate universal testing machines for tensile, compression, flexural, shear, and fatigue tests.
• Adhere to ASTM, ISO, and internal standards for aerospace applications.
• Prepare specimens with precise tolerances and finishes prior to testing.
• Install and align gripping/fixturing for complex test setups, including high-temp or cryogenic conditions.
• Record, process, and report test data for design teams.
• Perform routine maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of lab equipment.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized laboratory environment.

Skills

Lab testing

Mechanical testing equipment

Data entry & documentation

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalency

Associate’s degree in Materials Science or related

Tools

Universal testing machines

Fixtures & grips

Testing standards (ASTM/ISO)

Job description

Description As a

Department: Manufacturing
Location: Redondo Beach
Compensation: $35.00 - $40.00 / hour
Description As a Materials Engineering Technician at Impulse, you will anchor our mechanical testing capabilities. In this role, you will be hands‑on in the lab, executing critical testing on a wide variety of materials including advanced metals, polymers, composites, and ceramic that make up our orbital vehicles and propulsion systems. You will be responsible for ensuring that all testing adheres to strict industry standards, managing test setups, and guaranteeing the integrity of the data that drives our engineering decisions.
Responsibilities

• Set up and operate universal testing machines to perform tensile, compression, flexural, shear, and fatigue testing across diverse material groups
• Interpret and strictly adhere to ASTM, ISO, and custom internal testing standards for aerospace applications
• Manage the end-to-end specimen preparation process, ensuring precise dimensional tolerances and surface finishes are met prior to testing
• Select, install, and align appropriate gripping and fixturing for complex test setups, including high-temperature, cryogenic, or non-standard geometries
• Record, process, and compile test data into clear, concise reports for the materials and design engineering teams
• Perform routine maintenance, calibration checks, and troubleshooting on laboratory equipment to minimize downtime
• Maintain a highly organized, safe, and efficient laboratory environment

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 3+ years of direct experience operating mechanical testing equipment in a structured laboratory environment
• Proven hands‑on experience testing a broad range of material classes: metals, polymers, composites, and ceramics
• Deep functional knowledge of mechanical testing standards (e.g., ASTM E8, D3039, D638, C1161) and specimen geometry requirements
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to safely handle high-load testing equipment and delicate sensors (extensometers, strain gauges)
• Excellent meticulousness regarding data entry, traceability, and documentation

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Associate’s degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related technical field (or equivalent combination of education and hands‑on experience)
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience with prior experience working environmental mechanical testing, such as testing in cryogenic chambers, elevated temperature furnaces, or vacuum environments within in the aerospace or defense industries
• Hands‑on experience with basic machining (mills, lathes, band saws) to fabricate or modify custom test fixtures on the fly
• Knowledge of advanced strain measurement techniques, including Digital Image Correlation (DIC)
• Familiarity with metallographic preparation or basic failure analysis post‑testing
• Experience performing fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth rate tests

Additional InformationCompensation 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.