Avionics Ground Systems Engineer (Electrical)

About the role

Impulse Space is hiring an Avionics Ground Systems Engineer (Electrical) in Redondo Beach. You will develop and integrate ground systems that interface with flight avionics, command and control systems, instrumentation and vehicle networks, enabling rapid testing, seamless vehicle integration and reliable launch execution. The role suits engineers who enjoy hands-on hardware development and want to see their systems go from concept to launch.

Key responsibilities

• Own hardware through its full lifecycle: architecture, schematic development, fabrication, integration, validation and deployment.
• Develop electrical architectures and interface definitions for ground support equipment, including power, instrumentation, communications and data acquisition.
• Design and integrate rack-level equipment, harnesses, enclosures and vehicle interface hardware.
• Develop and troubleshoot command, telemetry, data acquisition and control interfaces between ground systems and flight hardware.
• Perform system-level electrical testing, integration and fault isolation.
• Support vehicle test operations and launch campaigns, including real-time troubleshooting of ground systems.
• Define and procure COTS instrumentation, networking, computing and interface hardware.
• Create and maintain schematics, wiring documentation, interface drawings and system-level documentation.
• Work cross-functionally with avionics, propulsion, software, test and operations teams on aggressive schedules.

Required profile

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 2+ years designing, building and deploying electrical ground support equipment, avionics integration hardware or other high-reliability electrical systems.
• 1+ years of hands-on experience specifying, procuring, integrating and testing electrical, instrumentation, networking and computing hardware.
• Familiarity with common aerospace and industrial communication protocols (Ethernet, RS-422, CAN) and networking (TCP/IP, CAT5, serial protocols).
• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced development and test environments.

Required skills

• Strong understanding of electrical system design fundamentals: signal integrity, grounding, shielding, EMI/EMC and power distribution.
• Preferred: rack-level system, harness and enclosure integration experience; industrial electrical safety practices (circuit protection, E-stops, safety relays, interlocks).
• Preferred: CAD tools such as NX, test automation or scripting (Python, MATLAB), basic schematic capture (PCBAs) or E-plan documentation.
• Preferred: prior experience supporting launch campaigns, propulsion testing or integrated vehicle operations.

What we offer

• Stated pay range of $100,000 - $160,000 per year, depending on role, level, location and skills.
• Possible long-term incentives in the form of stock options for full-time hires.
• Medical, vision and dental coverage and a 401(k) retirement plan.