Senior Mechanical Engineer (Kick Stage)

Impulse Space; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Long-term incentives, stock options

Medical, vision & dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

A private aerospace manufacturer in Redondo Beach is looking for a Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and integration of flight hardware. The role involves collaborating with various engineering teams and ensuring the performance and reliability of advanced propulsion space vehicles. Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and at least 5 years of experience in structural aerospace hardware design. Competitive salary with benefits, including stock options and health coverage, is offered.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience designing and analyzing structural aerospace hardware.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes like machining and welding.
• Ability to communicate technical challenges and solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, build, test, and document innovative structures.
• Collaborate effectively with partner teams to create integrated systems.
• Support development and qualification test campaigns.

Skills

Design, analyze, build, test structures

Collaborate with cross-functional teams

Strong understanding of mechanics of materials

Proficiency with CAD software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

NX

Teamcenter

Ansys

FEMAP

Job description

Compensation: $140,000 - $180,000 / year

Department: Vehicle Engineering

Location: Redondo Beach

Description

As a Mechanical Engineer at Impulse for our Vehicle Engineering Team, you will own all aspects of the design, analysis, build, test and integration of flight hardware – working with cross‑functional engineering teams to accomplish this. This means cradle‑to‑grave ownership of pressurized and/or unpressurized structures in support of Impulse’s collection of next generation advanced propulsion space vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, build, test, and document innovative structures; example systems include primary structure weldments, tank internal fluid/structural devices, payload attachment fittings, and stage propulsion/avionics integration hardware
• Steer system definition, layout, requirements, and verification
• Support first article build through the ramp to production in collaboration with the manufacturing team, rolling in DFM and reliability improvements
• Support development and qualification test campaigns in collaboration with the test team, creating test plans to gather key learnings and demonstrate flightworthiness
• Establish driving load cases and environments in collaboration with the loads/dynamics and thermal teams
• Collaborate effectively with partner teams (such as propulsion, avionics, and GNC) to create a high performing, integrated system

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 5+ years demonstrated experience designing and analyzing structural aerospace hardware
• Strong knowledge of strength and stability hand calculations for structural sizing and model validation
• Strong understanding of mechanics of materials, material failure modes, and associated analysis methods
• Familiarity with a wide set of manufacturing processes such as machining, welding, forming, and joining methods
• Proficiency with CAD software and assembly management
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively across different teams
• Ability to communicate technical challenges, explain rationale and/or resolve concerns

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 7+ years of demonstrated experience designing and analyzing highly performant structures with space‑flown hardware
• Experience with aerospace aluminum welding, inspection, and allowables development
• Experience with composite primary or secondary structure design, analysis, and testing
• Experience with payload accommodations, testing, and validation
• Experience with structural testing, validation, and correlation methods
• Experience working on a launch vehicle development effort
• Experience in a startup or agile development environment
• Experience with NX, Teamcenter, Ansys and FEMAP

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 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.