Avionics Project Engineer (All levels)

Impulse Space; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical coverage

401(k) plan

Job summary

Impulse Space in Redondo Beach, CA is seeking a Project Engineer to drive the development, integration, and delivery of next‑generation space vehicles. You will manage cross‑functional programs across mechanical, avionics, propulsion, and software to meet technical, schedule, and budget goals, coordinating with mission managers, manufacturing, and customers.

Leveling will be commensurate with experience. The role involves shaping architecture and requirements through production, test, and flight

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Aerospace, Mechanical, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in project engineering, systems engineering, or technical program management for rockets, spacecraft, or complex vehicles.
• Experience with full-lifecycle hardware development from concept to testing and flight.
• Strong knowledge across mechanical, electrical, and fluid systems.
• Hands-on experience building and managing complex project schedules with scheduling/tracking tools.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical teams and resolve critical issues.

Responsibilities

• Drive cross-functional program execution, building and tracking the integrated master schedule, milestones, and critical path activities
• Own system trades and analysis, requirement tracking, and risk mitigation across engineering disciplines
• Support hardware development from concept through design, production, integration, and flight operations
• Lead recurring design reviews and syncs with mechanical, electrical, and propulsion teams to resolve roadblocks
• Establish and manage project budgets, procurement timelines, and supplier relationships for spacecraft components
• Develop and oversee qualification and test campaigns to verify systems meet mission requirements
• Partner with mission managers, firmware, software, mechanical, manufacturing and test teams
• Drive changes to improve design, integration processes, manufacturability, and reliability

Skills

Project management

Systems engineering

Scheduling

Hardware development

Spacecraft

Cross-functional leadership

Technical program management

Risk mitigation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Aerospace/Mechanical or related

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Scheduling tools

Job description

Department: Avionics
Location: Redondo Beach
Compensation: $150,000 - $200,000 / year

Description

As a Project Engineer, you will be responsible for driving the successful development, integration, and delivery of Impulse's next-generation space vehicles. You will manage cross-functional engineering efforts, working closely with mechanical, avionics, propulsion, and software teams to ensure technical, schedule, and budget goals are met. You will work directly with mission managers, manufacturing teams, and customers to resolve technical roadblocks. You will have the opportunity to contribute to all aspects of spacecraft development, overseeing systems from early architecture and requirements definition through production, test, and flight operations.
Leveling will be commensurate with your experience.

Responsibilities

• Drive cross-functional program execution, building and tracking the integrated master schedule, milestones, and critical path activities
• Own system trades and analysis, requirement tracking, and risk mitigation across engineering disciplines
• Support hardware development from concept through design, production, integration, and flight operations
• Lead recurring design reviews and syncs with mechanical, electrical, and propulsion teams to ensure alignment and rapidly resolve technical roadblocks
• Establish and manage project budgets, procurement timelines, and supplier relationships for key spacecraft components
• Develop and oversee qualification and test campaigns to verify systems meet mission requirements
• Partner with mission managers, firmware, software, mechanical, manufacturing and test teams
• Drive changes that make the vehicle design and integration processes more efficient, manufacturable, and reliable

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 3+ years professional experience in project engineering, systems engineering, or technical program management for rockets, spacecraft, or other complex vehicles
• Experience with full-lifecycle hardware development, from initial concept generation to testing, integration, and flight
• Strong knowledge of engineering fundamentals across multiple disciplines (mechanical, electrical, fluid systems)
• Hands‑on experience developing and managing complex project schedules and working with scheduling/tracking tools
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical teams and resolve critical issues

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Master's degree in an engineering discipline or related field
• Self‑motivated with a proven ability to distill complex technical problems for leadership and non‑technical stakeholders
• 5+ years' of experience developing new hardware relevant to spacecraft or rockets and owning project schedules
• Familiarity with aerospace test campaigns, environmental qualification (vibe, TVAC), and system‑level integration
• Experience with supply chain, vendor management, and procurement for specialized aerospace components
• Experience in a startup or fast‑paced agile development environment

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.