Solar Array Test Engineer

Impulse Space; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision & dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Impulse Space seeks a Solar Array Test Engineer to design, plan, and execute testing of solar array systems and subassemblies, ensuring electrical performance, mechanical integrity, and environmental durability for flight readiness.

You will own test development from requirements through data review, collaborating with solar array design, power electronics, systems engineering, and manufacturing teams to deliver robust hardware and compliant testing.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of direct experience in hardware test engineering.
• Working knowledge of photovoltaic behavior, electroluminescence, and solar array performance drivers.
• Experience with electrical and thermal instrumentation and DAQ systems.
• Familiarity with environmental and mechanical test methods and lab safety practices.
• Strong data reduction and analysis skills in Python, MATLAB, or similar.
• Clear communicator with solid technical documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute electrical performance tests for solar arrays, including I-V characterization and efficiency measurements.
• Plan and run environmental and durability tests such as thermal cycling, UV exposure, vibration, or shock as applicable.
• Develop test plans and procedures from system and component requirements, including acceptance criteria.
• Design, build, and validate test fixtures, harnessing, and high-power setups.
• Partner with design, manufacturing, and suppliers to close test gaps and improve reliability and performance.
• Participate in anomaly troubleshooting, root-cause investigations, and re-test plans

Skills

Test engineering

Python

MATLAB

Education

B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering

Job description

As a Solar Array Test Engineer at Impulse, you will play a critical role in designing, planning, and executing testing of solar array systems and subassemblies. This role owns test development from requirements through data review, focusing on electrical performance, mechanical integrity, environmental durability, and flight readiness. You’ll work closely with solar array design, power electronics, systems engineering, and manufacturing teams to ensure robust, compliant, and high-performing solar hardware.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute electrical performance tests for solar arrays, including I-V characterization and efficiency measurements
• Plan and run environmental and durability tests such as thermal cycling, UV exposure, vibration, or shock as applicable
• Develop test plans and procedures from system and component requirements, including acceptance criteria
• Design, build, and validate test fixtures, harnessing, and high-power setups
• Partner with design, manufacturing, and suppliers to close test gaps and improve reliability and performance
• Participate in anomaly troubleshooting, root-cause investigations, and re-test plans

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• 3+ years of direct experience in hardware test engineering
• Working knowledge of photovoltaic behavior, electroluminescence, and solar array performance drivers
• Experience with electrical and thermal instrumentation and DAQ systems
• Familiarity with environmental and mechanical test methods and lab safety practices
• Strong data reduction and analysis skills in Python, MATLAB, or similar
• Clear communicator with solid technical documentation skills

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline
• Direct experience testing solar arrays or photovoltaic hardware
• Familiarity with PV and aerospace qualification standards relevant to solar array testing, including IEC, UL, MIL-STD, NASA, and ECSS standards
• Experience with thermal-vacuum testing, radiation or UV degradation testing, or arc-fault characterization
• Demonstrated ability to drive cross-functional closure of test anomalies and design improvements

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.