Senior Engineer - Propulsion Systems

Impulse Space; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision & dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Impulse Space in Redondo Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Engineer - Propulsion Systems to own in-house propulsion system design, analysis, implementation and operation.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-performance spacecraft from clean sheet designs, and contribute to test campaigns, on-orbit support, and qualification activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or science required.
• 5+ years in aerospace propulsion field.
• Experience with bipropellant rocket propulsion systems.
• Fluids, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mechanics and materials knowledge.
• Ability to perform system trades from thermal-fluids analyses to materials selection.
• Demonstrated ownership and collaboration in small teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Responsible Propulsion Engineer for in-space propulsion systems (bipropellant thrusters, pressure components, vessels).
• Drive propulsion system development and implementation including system requirements, design and analysis.
• Schedule formulation, tracking, and resource allocation.
• Hardware and software configuration definition and build/test scopes.
• Create and execute development, acceptance and qualification test campaigns.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Provide on-orbit mission support including flight data reviews.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, testing and operations across disciplines.
• Design, build and test fluid, mechanical and electrical systems.
• Manage internal and external stakeholders for system alignment and transparency.
• Resolve technical issues with innovative solutions.

Skills

Aerospace propulsion experience

Bipropellant propulsion

System-level design

Thermodynamics

Fluid mechanics

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or science

Master's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Tools

CAD software

SINDA/FLUINT

GFSSP

Job description

Department

Propulsion

Location

Redondo Beach

Compensation

$140,000 - $190,000 / year

Description

As a Senior Engineer - Propulsion Systems at Impulse Space, you will own all aspects of in-house propulsion system design, analysis, implementation and operation while working closely with a fast-paced, agile team that produces high-performance spacecraft from clean sheet designs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Responsible Propulsion Engineer for one of Impulse’s in-space propulsion systems, which includes bipropellant thrusters, pressure components and vessels
• Drive propulsion system development and implementation including:
• System requirements definition, design and analysis
• Schedule formulation, tracking, and resource allocation
• Hardware and software configuration definition
• Build and test work scope and order-of-operations
• Create and execute development, acceptance and qualification test campaigns
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies
• Perform on-orbit mission support including flight data reviews and anomaly resolution
• Work with wide-ranging teams across engineering, manufacturing, testing and operations to deliver a reliable, high-performance and highly integrated system
• Hands-on experience designing, building and working with fluid, mechanical, and electrical systems
• Manage internal and external stakeholders to ensure system alignment and transparency
• Resolve technical issues with innovative resourceful solutions

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or science
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience in the aerospace propulsion field
• Demonstrated experience working on bipropellant rocket propulsion systems
• Proficiency in basic principles of fluids, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mechanics and materials
• Ability to perform system trades ranging from thermal-fluids analyses to materials selection
• Demonstrated ability of taking project ownership and working collaboratively with small teams

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering and 7+ years of demonstrated experience in the aerospace propulsion field.
• Prior experience working on hardware development projects with cost and schedule constraints for key propulsion system design elements (thrusters, valves, and/or pressure vessels)
• Proficiency in CAD software with ability to learn new tools
• Demonstrated experience in leading multiple projects for ground test and flight propulsion systems
• Create, modify and execute test sequences and procedures for high pressure development and flight hardware systems
• Demonstrated experience working with in-space propulsion systems including support of preflight mission analysis and on-orbit mission operations
• Familiarity with NASA and DoD standards regarding spaceflight propulsion specifications and standards
• Familiarity with a fluids analysis tools such as SINDA/FLUINT, GFSSP or similar
• Proficiency in CAD software with ability to learn new tools
• Experience in a startup or agile development environment
• Experience working with saturated fluid systems

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.