Job Description

Head of Structures, Vehicle Engineering

Department: Vehicle Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Redondo Beach

Reporting To: Seth Kovnat, Director of Vehicle Engineering

Compensation: $160,000 - $185,000 / year

As the Head of Structures of the Helios Kick Stage Vehicle, you will own all aspects of development for the most advanced kick stage in history. With the support of an all-star team, you will own design, analysis, test strategy, implementation, sustainment, and improvement. You will work across disciplines in a fast paced, hardware rich, vertically integrated environment, alongside some of the best to ever do it in this industry. If you ever wanted to own your own rocket, here is your opportunity!

Impulse is injecting the space industry with novel new spacecraft that will enable us to go farther and readily maneuver through space like never before.

Helios is Impulse's new vehicle, a 3rd stage/kick stage. Launching in 2026, it is designed to take satellites & payloads to GEO for faster & cheaper than today's capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of all-star responsible engineers working on the advanced Helios Kick Stage vehicle, steering the design of pressurized weldment structures, integrated subsystems, payload accommodations, separation systems, and more.
• Change the high energy orbit, lunar, and Mars industry, engaging with customers and industry leaders from industry, NASA, and government organizations to find creative ways to get their spacecraft where they need to go.
• Determine product improvement, upgrade roadmap by working closely with partner teams, leadership, and business development
• Architect and implement engineering processes to streamline development, test, and sustainment through production ramp
• Drive timely development and execution Helios component test campaigns
• Work with wide ranging teams across engineering, manufacturing, and operations to deliver a reliable, high-performing vehicle.
• Direct technical ownership and individual contributor work across the vehicle

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or related field
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience in space vehicle development or production
• Past results and execution developing, testing, and flying spacecraft or launch vehicles as a technical individual contributor
• Expert level technical knowledge in any of the following disciplines: primary, secondary structures, mechanisms, pressure systems, or other areas related to cryogenic pressurized space vehicles
• Professional experience managing and growing a team

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience working in lead roles in space vehicle development or production
• Ownership of the technical development of major systems on a space vehicle or launch vehicle through the entirety of its design cycle: conceptualization, system level trades, design, analysis, test, build, integration, and flight operations
• Experience in a startup or agile development environment

Additional Information:

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan

Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.