The Development Test Engineer at Impulse, will lead the planning, execution, and analysis of tests critical to validating next-generation in-space mobility systems. This role is highly cross-functional, interfacing with design, analysis, manufacturing, and operations teams to ensure products meet performance, safety, and reliability requirements. The ideal candidate combines strong engineering fundamentals with hands-on test experience in a fast-paced development environment. This position plays a key role in maturing early-stage designs into flight-ready hardware.
Responsibilities
- Design, build, and commission test fixtures for fluid, cryogenic, high-pressure, cyclic, environmental, mechanical, and structural testing
- Execute tests safely and efficiently, including setup, operations, and troubleshooting during live test events
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities
- Work closely with design and manufacturing teams to ensure testability and rapid feedback cycles
- Excellent technical writing and documentation skills
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or related engineering discipline
- A demonstrated understanding of mechanical, propulsion, fluid, or structural systems
- Strong data analysis skills using tools such as Python, MATLAB, or similar
- Hands-on experience with hardware in a laboratory or test-stand environment
- Ability to manage multiple test campaigns in a fast-paced environment
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Experience testing aerospace or spaceflight hardware (propulsion systems, structures, mechanisms, avionics)
- Familiarity with high-pressure fluid systems, cryogenic systems, or hazardous test operations
- Proficiency with instrumentation, DAQ systems, and sensor selection/integration
- Demonstrated ability to develop test plans, execute complex tests, and document results
- Background in designing and automating test setups with NI, LabVIEW, PLCs, or similar platforms
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, FEA/CFD results, and system requirements
- Prior involvement in fast-paced R&D or startup environments with rapid iteration cycles
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.
