Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion)
Not Disclosed•Full-TimeOn-site
location_on646, South Broadway, Clifton, Redondo Beach, Los Angeles County, California, 90277, United States
About the Role
As a Senior Mechanical Engineer for our Electric Propulsion Team at Impulse, you will own the full life cycle of mechanical design for our high-efficiency Hall thrusters and their vehicle interfaces. You will develop solutions involving extreme temperatures, exotic material combinations, and exposure to high-energy plasmas. This role is highly collaborative: you will work closely with engineers and technicians across avionics, test, manufacturing, and vehicle engineering to deliver flight‑ready hardware. You'll thrive here if you enjoy learning new systems and guiding space hardware from initial design through qualification and production.
Work location
Work model: On-site
646, South Broadway, Clifton, Redondo Beach, Los Angeles County, California, 90277, United States
Redondo Beach, California
Key Responsibilities
- check_circleDesign, analyze, build, test, and document Hall thruster components and vehicle interfaces
- check_circleDefine driving load cases and environments in collaboration with loads and thermal teams
- check_circlePerform structural and thermal finite element analyses of complex assemblies
- check_circleCollaborate with avionics, software, test, and GNC teams to deliver integrated systems
- check_circleSupport builds from first article through production with DFM and reliability improvements
- check_circleLead discrepancy investigation and root-cause analyses for development and test issues
- check_circleSupport ground testing and flight operations of electric propulsion systems
- check_circleCreate and review engineering drawings applying GD&T principles
Requirements
- verifiedBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related discipline
- verified5+ years of hands-on experience in mechanical design and analysis
- verifiedProficiency in CAD, GD&T, and assembly management
- verifiedDemonstrated skill in structural analysis, including finite element modeling and hand calculations
- verifiedFamiliarity with manufacturing processes including CNC machining, additive manufacturing, and welding
- verifiedU.S. Person or eligible for export license under ITAR/EAR
Nice to Have
Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field. 7+ years of experience designing and analyzing electric propulsion or other plasma-facing hardware (e.g., fusion systems, experimental research devices, semiconductor manufacturing, thin-film deposition). Experience working in a startup or agile development environment. Demonstrated experience fully owning the design and delivery of hardware for spaceflight. Strong understanding of material properties, mechanics of materials, and dissimilar material interactions.
Benefits & Perks
check_circleAccess to medical, vision, and dental coveragecheck_circleAccess to a 401(k) retirement plancheck_circleEligibility for long-term incentives in the form of stock options
Similar Job Opportunities
Skills, education and keywords
Skills: Cad, GD&T, Assembly Management, Structural Analysis, Finite Element Modeling, Hand Calculations, CNC Machining, Additive Manufacturing, Welding, Mechanics Of Materials.
Education: Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related discipline required; Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field preferred.
Frequently asked questions about Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion) at Impulse Space
What does a Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion) at Impulse Space do?expand_more
Day-to-day, the Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion) at Impulse Space will design, analyze, build, test, and document hall thruster components and vehicle interfaces; define driving load cases and environments in collaboration with loads and thermal teams; perform structural and thermal finite element analyses of complex assemblies; and collaborate with avionics, software, test, and gnc teams to deliver integrated systems.
What are the requirements for this Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion) role?expand_more
To qualify for the Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion) at Impulse Space position, applicants should have: Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related discipline; 5+ years of hands-on experience in mechanical design and analysis; Proficiency in CAD, GD&T, and assembly management; Demonstrated skill in structural analysis, including finite element modeling and hand calculations; Familiarity with manufacturing processes including CNC machining, additive manufacturing, and welding; and U.S. Person or eligible for export license under ITAR/EAR.
Where is the Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion) role at Impulse Space located?expand_more
Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion) at Impulse Space is based in 646, South Broadway, Clifton, Redondo Beach, Los Angeles County, California, 90277, United States. This is a on-site role.
Is this Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion) job remote, hybrid, or on-site?expand_more
Impulse Space has listed this Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion) role as on-site.
How much experience is required for this Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion) role?expand_more
Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion) at Impulse Space typically requires 5+ years of relevant experience at the senior level.
What skills do you need for the Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion) role at Impulse Space?expand_more
Key skills for Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion) at Impulse Space include Cad; GD&T; Assembly Management; Structural Analysis; Finite Element Modeling; Hand Calculations; CNC Machining; and Additive Manufacturing.
What education is required for Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion) at Impulse Space?expand_more
Educational requirements for this role: Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related discipline required; and Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field preferred.
What category does the Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion) role belong to?expand_more
Senior Mechanical Engineer (Electric Propulsion) at Impulse Space is part of the engineering job category on Recrutus.