Senior Mechanical Engineer (Mechanisms)
Impulse Space
Other Engineering
Posted on Mar 13, 2026
As a Senior Mechanical Engineer at Impulse for our Vehicle Engineering Team, you will own all aspects of the design, analysis, build, test and integration of spacecraft mechanisms – working with cross-functional engineering teams to accomplish this. This means cradle-to-grave ownership electromechanical hardware in support of Impulse’s collection of next generation advanced propulsion space vehicles.
- Department
- Vehicle Engineering
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Redondo Beach
- Workplace type
- Onsite
- Compensation
- $135,000 - $165,000 / year
- Reporting To
- Drew Boggio
Responsibilities
- Design, analyze, build, test, and document innovative moving mechanical assemblies; example systems include but are not limited to rotary actuators, deployable structures, and separation systems.
- 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, qualification, and acceptance 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 avionics, software, test and GNC) to create a high performing, integrated system
- Lead discrepancy investigation and root cause corrective actions in applicable hardware for issues found through the development, build, and test process
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- 5+ years demonstrated experience designing and analyzing spacecraft mechanisms
- Strong knowledge of motors, gearboxes, structures, and electromechanical packaging
- Strong understanding of mechanics of materials, material failure modes, and associated analysis methods
- Familiarity with a wide range of manufacturing processes and alignment techniques utilizing precision tooling and preload control
- Proficiency with CAD software, assembly management, and GD&T
- 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 mechanisms with space-flown hardware
- Experience with structural testing, validation, and correlation methods
- Experience working on a spacecraft 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 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.
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)
Don't see the right opportunity? Register your interest and be notified when it becomes available