Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Solar Modules)

About the role

Impulse Space is hiring a Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Solar Modules) in Redondo Beach to work with cross-functional teams building solar modules for space applications. The engineer owns the build and testing of solar modules in production, and their expertise directly affects the reliability and performance of systems sent into low-earth orbit and beyond. Pay is stated as $140,000 - $180,000 per year.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement solar module manufacturing processes across vehicles, including development builds, and improve the process and iterate new designs.
• Define the manufacturing process flow and scale up the module production rate.
• Analyze the manufacturing process to reduce defects, improve quality and yield.
• Lead failure analysis during prototype fabrication to inform design decisions.
• Work with design engineers on manufacturability and DFM/DFA of solar modules.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on long-term reliability in space environments.
• Support the production floor, resolve build issues, update work instructions and improve yields.
• Guide solar manufacturing technicians and support environmental and functional testing in production.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• 4+ years of demonstrated development and/or manufacturing experience with solar modules, terrestrial or space.
• 4+ years setting up a solar manufacturing line, including stringers and laminators.
• Experience with failure analysis of solar modules or electronic devices in development or production.

Preferred skills

• MS degree in a relevant engineering or science field.
• 6+ years of manufacturing experience in solar manufacturing, especially for space applications.
• Material selection knowledge for space solar modules and how they fail in space (cover sheets, encapsulants, interconnects, backsheets).
• DFM feedback and failure analysis of space solar modules, with an emphasis on reliability in LEO and GEO.

What we offer

• Base pay of $140,000 - $180,000 per year, with additional long-term incentives such as stock options for full-time hires.
• Medical, vision and dental coverage and a 401(k) retirement plan.
• Pay levels set by role, level, location and market data; pay varies by skills, education, experience and internal equity.