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Senior Engineer - Propulsion Systems

Impulse· Propulsion
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Redondo Beach$140k - $190kFull-timePosted 3mo ago

About the role

Senior Engineer - Propulsion Systems responsible for leading development of high-performance spacecraft propulsion systems from concept to on-orbit operations, serving as Responsible Propulsion Engineer for a propulsion subsystem.

Responsibilities

  • Own propulsion system development across requirements, architecture, design, analysis, implementation, integration, test, and flight operations.
  • Lead system-level trades involving fluids, thermodynamics, heat transfer, materials, mechanical design, and operations.
  • Define system requirements, interfaces, verification strategies, and configuration baselines.
  • Plan and execute development, acceptance, and qualification test campaigns.
  • Define build and test scope, sequence of operations, readiness criteria, and technical milestones.
  • Review test and flight data, investigate anomalies, and drive corrective actions to closure.
  • Identify technical and programmatic risks and develop practical mitigation strategies.
  • Provide on-orbit support, including propulsion performance assessment and anomaly resolution.
  • Partner closely with manufacturing, integration, test, and mission operations teams to deliver reliable, integrated systems.
  • Communicate technical decisions, status, and risks to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Mentor engineers and raise the technical standard of the propulsion organization.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical discipline.
  • 5+ years of professional experience in aerospace propulsion or a closely related field for the Senior level; Staff-level candidates will typically have broader technical leadership experience.
  • Demonstrated experience developing bipropellant rocket propulsion systems.
  • Strong foundation in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mechanics, and materials.
  • Experience performing system-level engineering trades, including thermal-fluid analysis, materials selection, component selection, and operational analysis.
  • Experience owning technical work from requirements definition through implementation and verification.
  • Ability to lead effectively in small, highly collaborative, cross-functional teams.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Skills

Required:Bipropellant propulsion system designSystem-level engineering tradesLeadership / cross-functional collaboration

Benefits

  • Stock options (long-term incentives)
  • Medical, vision & dental coverage
  • Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
Last updated Oct 15, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Impulse

Accelerating our future beyond Earth

Accelerating our future beyond Earth

spacevehiclesmobilitypayloads
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