Senior Space Autonomy Engineer — Fault-Tolerant Ops

Impulsespace; Colorado; On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Impulse Space in Boulder County seeks a Senior Autonomy Engineer to own spacecraft-level autonomous behavior across all mission phases. You will define how the vehicle detects faults, makes decisions, transitions modes, and safely executes mission objectives with minimal ground intervention.

Collaborate across flight software, GNC, avionics, and ground systems to ensure robust autonomy; drive verification via SIL/HIL and mission simulations; support integration and operations throughout programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience with requirements and system-level behavior definition.
• Demonstrated hands-on involvement with verification, simulation, or test.
• Demonstrated spacecraft autonomy or fault management experience.

Responsibilities

• Define the spacecraft autonomy architecture, including modes, states, authority, and decision boundaries.
• Own fault management, safing, and recovery logic at the system level.
• Coordinate autonomous behavior across flight software, GNC, avionics, and ground systems.
• Define and maintain autonomy interfaces and assumptions.
• Drive system-level verification using SIL, HIL, and mission simulations.
• Configure vehicle automations tied to mission risk and operational needs.
• Support integration, test campaigns, and mission operations.

Skills

Systems thinking

Fault management

Autonomy frameworks

Onboard decision-making

State machines

Flight software

GNC

Mission operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering / Robotics / Computer Science

Job description

Impulse Space in Boulder County seeks a Senior Autonomy Engineer to own spacecraft-level autonomous behavior across all mission phases. You will define how the vehicle detects faults, makes decisions, transitions modes, and safely executes mission objectives with minimal ground intervention.

Collaborate across flight software, GNC, avionics, and ground systems to ensure robust autonomy; drive verification via SIL/HIL and mission simulations; support integration and operations throughout programs.