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Principal Mechanical Engineer - COPVs

Impulse· Vehicle Engineering
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Redondo Beach$135k - $215kFull-timePosted 6mo ago

About the role

Mechanical Engineer responsible for cradle-to-grave design, analysis, build, test, and integration of flight composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) and COPV mounting structures for Impulse Space.

Responsibilities

  • Design, analyze, build, test, and document both innovative COPVs and COPV mounting structures
  • Formulate the comprehensive cradle to grave Road Map for your hardware
  • Automate COPV development and processes to streamline design, analysis, and documentation
  • Work with and strengthen relationships with key suppliers who support COPV processes, components, and materials
  • Size COPVs for future vehicles understanding system requirements and trade space
  • Support first article build through the ramp to production in collaboration with the manufacturing team, rolling in DFM and reliability improvements
  • Support development and qualification 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 and frequently with manufacturing working on the shop floor to understand fabrication processes, incorporate feedback, and address needs

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
  • 12+ years’ experience working with composite materials
  • 12+ years demonstrated experience designing and analyzing COPVs, SRMs, or similar
  • Passion for working with composites, COPVs, and high-pressure systems
  • Hands on experience fabricating composite parts either at university or in industry
  • Strong knowledge of hand calculations for structural sizing and model validation
  • Strong understanding of mechanics of materials, material failure modes, and associated analysis methods
  • Familiarity with a wide set of manufacturing processes across both metallics and composites such as machining, forming, lamination, and winding
  • Proficiency with CAD software and ability to learn new tools
  • Demonstrated experience working collaboratively across different teams
  • Ability to communicate technical challenges, explain rationale and/or resolve concerns

Skills

Required:Composite material design and analysisSystems engineering and cradle-to-grave ownershipFinite element / structural analysisManufacturing and assembly processes (metallics and composites)CAD softwareCommunication and cross-functional collaboration

Benefits

  • long-term incentives in the form of stock options
  • medical, vision & dental coverage
  • access to a 401(k) retirement plan
Last updated Sep 10, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Impulse

Accelerating our future beyond Earth

Accelerating our future beyond Earth

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