Propulsion Test Engineer
Impulse Space
Quality Assurance
Posted on Mar 20, 2026
As a Propulsion Test Engineer at Impulse, you will be responsible for liquid rocket engine stand design, maintenance, and operation. This role will work closely with the propulsion design teams to design and perform test campaigns that provide key data in new development and acceptance of rocket engines.
- Department
- Assembly, Integration & Test
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Redondo Beach
- Workplace type
- Onsite
- Compensation
- $95,000 - $125,000 / year
Responsibilities
- Support test operations of liquid rocket engine testing
- Improve operational efficiency through process upgrades and implementation of new hardware solutions
- Create, modify, and optimize test sequences and procedures in response to rocket engine data
- Design and build clean sheet fluid, mechanical, vacuum, and electrical systems in support of increasing rate and new development objectives
- Resolve technical issues with innovative and resourceful solutions
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical engineering or related field
- 2+ years of professional experience in hardware development testing
- Strong engineering fundamentals in thermal, structural, and fluids analysis
- Understand liquid rocket engine fundamentals
- Prior hands-on operational experience working with aerospace test facilities
- Demonstrated experience owning test stand design and build-up
- Able to create and clearly communicate fluid P&IDs, electrical and controls schematics
- Able to identify and procure appropriate test equipment
- Proficient with data acquisition and control methods
- Demonstrated ability of taking project ownership and working well in small teams
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Experience working with complex systems including two-phase propellants, high pressure gas systems, and combustion devices
- Working knowledge of components (valves, regulators, sensors, power supplies) and hands-on skills (tube fabrication, metalworking, wiring)
- Experience operating, designing, and/or maintaining vacuum systems
- Experience with NI and/or other data acquisition systems
- Prior experience operating liquid rocket engine test stand
- Experience in a startup or agile development environment
- Prior experience testing liquid rocket engines
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.
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)
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