Staff Propulsion Development Engineer (Thrusters)

Impulse Space

$150K — $175K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or science
  • 8+ years of experience in aerospace propulsion
  • Experience with bipropellant rocket engines and combustion devices
  • Strong grasp of fluids, thermodynamics, and materials
  • Hands-on expertise in fluid, mechanical, electrical, and control systems
  • Proven ability to lead projects and collaborate within small teams

Responsibilities

  • Own the development of storable, liquid bipropellant thrusters
  • Conduct analysis and testing to validate hardware performance
  • Plan and execute engine hotfire tests
  • Collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams
  • Innovate solutions to resolve technical challenges
  • Lead technical projects and coordinate a small team of engineers

Benefits

  • Eligible for stock options
  • Access to medical, vision, and dental coverage
  • Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
  • Flexible schedule with travel opportunities
Full Job Description
Staff Propulsion Development Engineer (Thrusters)

Department: Propulsion

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Redondo Beach

Compensation: $150,000 - $175,000 / year

Description

As a Senior Propulsion Development Engineer (Thrusters) at Impulse, 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. Building off our successful Mira spacecraft program, Impulse is developing new propulsion systems for on-orbit applications as well as Lander applications. Impulse is looking for development engineers who can contribute to these key hardware development projects.

Responsibilities
  • Own all aspects of a storable, liquid bipropellant thruster and/or subsystem development
  • Conduct analysis and testing to ensure that the performance and function of hardware meets intent
  • Prepare, plan and execute tests including engine hotfire testing
  • Work with wide-ranging teams across engineering, manufacturing and operations to deliver a reliable, high-performance and highly integrated system
  • Resolve technical issues with innovative resourceful solutions
  • Lead technical projects and/or a small team of engineers


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or science
  • 8+ years of demonstrated experience in the aerospace propulsion field
  • Prior experience working on bipropellant rocket engines, including hardware and test experience with combustion devices.
  • 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
  • Hands-on experience working with fluid, mechanical, electrical and controls systems
  • Demonstrated ability of taking project ownership and working collaboratively with small teams


Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Advanced degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or a comparable field.
  • Experience working in fast-paced, startup environment.
  • Demonstrated technical project leadership over propulsion development programs
  • Prior experience with combustion devices and ignition system development
  • Prior experience with nitrous oxide as a propellant
  • Proficiency in CAD software with ability to learn new tools
  • Familiarity with aerospace structural analysis standards pertinent to liquid rocket engine development (e.g. NASA-STD-5012, NASA-STD-5020)
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.


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.

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