Senior Development Test Engineer

Impulse Space; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Impulse Space in Redondo Beach is seeking a Senior Development Test Engineer to own the design of test equipment and oversee test operations for high-performance spacecraft. You will work with a fast-paced, agile team delivering robust test capabilities.

Responsibilities include building fluid, mechanical and electrical test systems, owning major test programs, and coordinating with vendors. Strong hands-on test facility experience is essential.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in hardware development testing with hands-on test experience.
• Strong fundamentals in thermal, structural, and fluids analysis.
• Hands-on experience with aerospace test facilities and test stands.
• Proven ownership of test stand design and build-up.
• Ability to create and communicate P&IDs, electrical and controls schematics.
• Identify and procure appropriate test equipment.
• Proficient in data acquisition and control methods.
• Demonstrated project ownership and teamwork in small teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and build fluid, mechanical and electrical test systems.
• Own key test assets and major test programs with cross-team collaboration.
• Coordinate with vendors to meet technical and schedule goals.
• Perform test setup, inspections, checkouts and troubleshooting.
• Conduct operations to rapidly develop hardware for spaceflight.
• Resolve technical issues with innovative solutions.

Skills

Mechanical engineering fundamentals

Aerospace engineering

Thermal analysis

Structural analysis

Fluids analysis

Test stand design

P&IDs & schematics

Electrical & controls schematics

Test equipment procurement

Data acquisition & control

Project ownership

Cryogenic / high-pressure systems

Vibration / propulsion testing

Agile startup experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical engineering or related field

Tools

Fluid P&IDs tools

Electrical schematics tools

Instrumentation & sensors

Job description

Department: Assembly, Integration & Test

Location: Redondo Beach

Compensation: $110,000 - $180,000 / year

Description

As a Senior Development Test Engineer at Impulse, you will be responsible for all aspects of test equipment design and test operations while working closely with a fast paced, agile team that produces high-performance spacecraft from clean sheet designs.

Responsibilities

• Design and build fluid, mechanical and electrical systems in support of liquid rocket propulsion and spacecraft systems testing
• Fully own key test assets and major test programs while collaborating with wide ranging teams across the company, including Redondo Beach and Mojave
• Coordinate with external vendors and contractors to meet project technical and schedule objectives
• Perform test setup, hardware inspections, checkouts and troubleshooting as needed
• Conduct test operations geared toward rapidly developing hardware for spaceflight
• Resolve technical issues with innovative and resourceful solutions

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical engineering or related field
• 5+ years of experience in hardware development testing
• Strong engineering fundamentals in thermal, structural, and fluids analysis
• Prior hands-on operational experience working with aerospace test facilities
• Previously demonstrated ownership of test stand design and build-up
• Able to create and clearly communicate fluid P&IDs, electrical and controls schematics
• Able to identify and procure appropriate test equipment
• Proficient with data acquisition and control methods
• Demonstrated ability of taking project ownership and working well in small teams

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Demonstrated prior experience working with complex systems including cryogenic propellants, high pressure gas systems, hydraulics and/or combustion devices
• Demonstrated working knowledge of components (valves, regulators, sensors, power supplies) and hands-on skills (tube fabrication, metalworking, wiring)
• Demonstrated hardware testing experience with rocket engines, or spacecraft
• Experience in a startup or agile development environment

Additional Requirements:

• Flexible schedule and willing to travel as needed

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.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. 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.