Senior Engineer - Propulsion Systems

About the role

Impulse Space builds the next generation of in-space transportation. As Senior Engineer - Propulsion Systems, you will lead the development of high-performance spacecraft propulsion systems from clean-sheet concept through on-orbit operations, acting as the Responsible Propulsion Engineer for one in-space propulsion system. The role is highly hands-on and cross-functional, covering bipropellant thrusters, pressure vessels, fluid systems, mechanical hardware, electrical interfaces and flight or ground software.

Key responsibilities

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

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of professional experience in aerospace propulsion or a closely related field; staff-level candidates typically have broader technical leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing bipropellant rocket propulsion systems.
• Experience owning technical work from requirements definition through implementation and verification.
• Ability to lead in small, highly collaborative, cross-functional teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Required skills

• Fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mechanics and materials.
• System-level engineering trades such as thermal-fluid analysis, materials selection, component selection and operational analysis.
• Preferred: experience as responsible engineer or technical lead for a flight propulsion system, spacecraft propulsion architecture, pressure systems, propellant management, valves, regulators, tanks, thrusters and feed systems, and leading anomaly investigations and root-cause analysis.

What we offer

• Stated pay range of $140,000 - $190,000 per year, depending on role, level, location and market data.
• Possible long-term incentives in the form of stock options for full-time hires.
• Medical, vision and dental coverage and access to a 401(k) retirement plan.