Radiation Effects Engineer

Impulse Space; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Impulse Space in Redondo Beach, CA, seeks a Radiation Effects Engineer to guide design, testing, and delivery of spaceflight hardware. You will lead TID/SEE characterization, manage test programs, and interface with cross‑functional teams to maximize radiation reliability from LEO to Mars.

The role requires a bachelor's in EE/physics and 2+ years in radiation effects, with hands‑on experience in part selection and radiation testing for proton/heavy ion environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, physics, or related technical field.
• 2+ years experience in the radiation effects field.
• Strong component selection experience for digital, analog, power, and RF systems.
• Experience supporting radiation testing campaigns for proton and/or heavy ion.
• Experience analyzing radiation test data to establish effects at the circuit, board, and vehicle level.
• Experience integrating industrial and/or automotive‑grade parts in radiation environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead total ionizing dose (TID) and single event effects (SEE) component characterization and qualification efforts through testing and test data analysis.
• Support radiation testing at off‑site locations by developing test procedures and optimizing for test time.
• Maintain databases of radiation test data across components and interface with supply chain and design engineers to utilize and procure components.
• Create design standards for electrical engineers to maximize radiation reliability on‑orbit.
• Review circuit board designs and BOMs to ensure compliance with design standards.
• Interface with program managers and engineering leadership to ensure radiation-related risks are accurately represented.
• Perform or contribute to ray‑tracing shielding analysis of avionics enclosures.
• Occasional domestic travel to support radiation test campaigns.

Skills

Radiation effects

SEE risk calculations

Scripting

Avionics hardware knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, physics, or related technical field

Tools

Altium

OMERE

FASTRAD

Job description

Compensation

$120,000 - $150,000 / year

Department

Avionics

Location

Redondo Beach

Description

As a Radiation Effects Engineer, your core responsibility will be to contribute to the component selection, design, testing, and delivery of flight hardware systems for space missions from low Earth orbit to Mars. You’ll work closely with electrical engineers, RF engineers, EMC engineers, mechanical engineers, and test engineers to maximize reliability, perform analysis and testing, and ensure reliable hardware performance across Impulse’s spacecraft.

Responsibilities

• Lead total ionizing dose (TID) and single event effects (SEE) component characterization and qualification efforts through testing and test data analysis
• Support radiation testing at off‑site locations by developing test procedures and optimizing for test time
• Maintain databases of radiation test data across components and interface with supply chain and design engineers to utilize and procure components
• Create design standards for electrical engineers to maximize radiation reliability on‑orbit
• Review circuit board designs and BOMs to ensure compliance with design standards
• Interface with program managers and engineering leadership to ensure radiation-related risks are accurately represented
• Perform or contribute to ray‑tracing shielding analysis of avionics enclosures
• Occasional domestic travel to support radiation test campaigns

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, physics, or related technical field
• 2+ years experience in the radiation effects field
• Strong component selection experience for digital, analog, power, and RF systems
• Experience supporting radiation testing campaigns for proton and/or heavy ion
• Experience analyzing radiation test data to establish effects at the circuit, board, and vehicle level
• Experience integrating industrial and/or automotive‑grade parts in radiation environments

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with single event effects (SEE) risk calculations
• Ability to write scripts to control test hardware
• Proficiency with avionics hardware spanning flight computers, radios, and motor controllers
• Familiarity with Altium
• Understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes
• Orbital dynamics, space experience
• Strong statistical analysis skills
• Experience in electromagnetic effects, surface charging analysis, or characterizing system desense and coexistence
• Familiarity with industry standards such as EEE‑INST‑002, NASA 8739.11, NASA‑HDBK‑4002, NASA‑STD‑4005, or similar
• Experience with orbital and radiation simulation tools such as OMERE, FASTRAD, or similar

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.