Sr. Propulsion Development Engineer
Impulse Space
USD 140k-190k / year + Equity
Posted on Jun 30, 2025
As a Propulsion Development Engineer 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. Impulse is developing a variety of liquid propulsion systems and looking for development engineers who can contribute to key hardware development projects.
- Department
- Propulsion Engineering
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Redondo Beach
- Workplace type
- Onsite
- Compensation
- $140,000 - $190,000 / year
- Reporting To
Responsibilities
- Own all aspects of propulsion component 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
- 5+ years of demonstrated experience in the aerospace propulsion field
- Prior 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
- Hands-on experience working with fluid, mechanical, electrical and controls systems
- Ability to operate complex test systems including vacuum pumps and vacuum chambers
- Demonstrated ability of taking project ownership and working collaboratively with small teams
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
- Prior experience working in lead roles on propulsion development programs
- Proficiency in CAD software with ability to learn new tools
- Experience in a startup or agile development environment
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.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. 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.
About Impulse Space
Impulse Space, the in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, is opening access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with its fleet of in-space transportation vehicles. The high-energy Helios vehicle unlocks orbits beyond LEO with its powerful Deneb engine, dropping off payloads in MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits. The flight-proven Mira vehicle uses a nontoxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system to offer orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry services to customers throughout LEO. Led by a team that delivered the most reliable rockets in history, Impulse provides economical and efficient in-space transportation by reliably and rapidly getting customers where they want to go.
Our Hiring Process
Stage 1:
Application Received
Stage 2:
Resume Review
Stage 3:
Intro Phone Interview
Stage 4:
Technical Phone Interview(s)
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