Propulsion Technician (Fluids/Valves)

Impulse Space; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision & dental

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Impulse Space in Boulder County, CO is hiring a Propulsion Technician to join the Manufacturing team. The role focuses on precision assembly, testing, inspection, and documentation of high-reliability valves and fluid components used in spaceflight hardware, under tight schedules.

You will handle torquing, leak checks, data collection with DAQ systems, and collaborate with engineers and quality teams to ensure flight-worthy assemblies while maintaining a clean, safe workspace and adhering to

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical certification or associate degree preferred.
• 5+ years of hands-on mechanical assembly experience in aerospace/high-reliability industries.
• Proficiency with hand tools, torque tools, calipers, micrometers, and basic measurement equipment.
• Experience building/commissioning ground support equipment and pressure systems.

Responsibilities

• Assemble valve components and sub-assemblies to drawings and travelers.
• Perform precision fitting, torquing, sealing, and alignment.
• Clean and prep parts per aerospace cleanliness standards.
• Conduct functional and leak checks, basic pressure testing.
• Document build records, travelers, and quality documentation.
• Collaborate with engineers, quality, and test teams to resolve issues.
• Support continuous improvement in tooling and assembly flow.
• Maintain a clean, safe work area.
• Assist with hardware rework and root-cause investigations.
• Learn and follow ESD, FOD, and clean-room practices.
• Operate and maintain pneumatic and hydraulic test equipment.
• Assemble instrumented test articles with transducers and meters.
• Collect data with DAQ systems and record results.
• Perform leak testing in fluid systems.

Skills

Mechanical assembly experience

Attention to detail

Documentation and record-keeping

Aerospace/high-reliability context

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Technical certification or associate degree preferred

Tools

Hand tools

Torque tools

Calipers

Micrometers

Pressure test equipment

DAQ systems

Job description

Description

As a Propulsion Technician at Impulse, you will be responsible for the precision assembly, testing, inspection, and documentation of high-reliability valves and related fluid components used in spaceflight hardware. This role is hands-on, detail-oriented, and critical to delivering flight-worthy hardware on aggressive timelines.

Department: Manufacturing

Location: Boulder County

Compensation: $40.00 - $50.00 / hour

Responsibilities

• Assemble mechanical valve components and sub-assemblies to engineering drawings, work instructions, and travelers
• Perform precision fitting, torquing , sealing, and alignment of components
• Clean, prep, and handle parts in accordance with aerospace cleanliness standards
• Conduct functional checks, leak checks, and basic pressure testing per procedures
• Identify, document, and communicate non-conformances or build issues
• Accurately complete build records, travelers, and quality documentation
• Work closely with engineers, quality, and test teams to resolve build issues
• Support continuous improvement efforts in tooling, processes, and assembly flow
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area
• Support hardware rework, troubleshooting, and root-cause investigations as needed
• Learn and comply with ESD, FOD, and clean-room practices as required
• Operate and maintain pneumatic and hydraulic test equipment
• Assemble instrumented test articles with pressure transducers, thermocouples, and flow meters
• Collect and record data using DAQ systems
• Conduct leak testing in various fluid systems

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical certification or associate degree preferred
• 5+ years of hands-on mechanical assembly experience (aerospace, automotive, medical devices, or similar high-reliability industries)
• Proficiency with hand tools, torque tools, calipers, micrometers, and basic measurement equipment
• Demonstrated building and commissioning GSE (ground support equipment) such as pressure test and leak check panels, including hand bending, routing and fitting tubing
• Demonstrated experience with pressure systems, leak detection methods, or test setups
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting instrumented test articles

Preferred Skills And Experience

• 6+ years of demonstrated aerospace or spaceflight hardware assembly experience
• 6+ years of demonstrated experience assembling valves, regulators, pumps, or fluid systems
• Familiarity with cleanliness standards (e.g., solvent cleaning, lint-free handling)
• Experience with pressure systems, leak detection methods, or test setups
• Basic understanding of quality systems and configuration control
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety
• Experience working under AS9100 or similar quality frameworks

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.