Head of Test

Description

As Head of Test at Impulse , you will lead a team responsible for testing our spaceflight hardware. You will lead the design, build-up, activation and operations of critical test facilities and equipment.

You will make key technical contributions while establishing the direction of testing at Impulse.

Responsibilities

• Manage the design and execution of new test facilities and equipment required to develop and validate critical spacecraft systems
• Lead an operational team of engineers and technicians across the company (Redondo Beach and Mojave)
• Recruit and develop a team across a variety of skill sets (fluids, mechanical, electrical, automation and controls)
• Own strategic decisions for testing approach and ensure they deliver upon desired outcome
• Work with cross-discipline engineering teams to design cost efficient test and automation equipment
• Implement processes and procedures to assure a high rate of development and production testing
• Institute a high level of safety and situational awareness
• Resolve technical issues with innovative and resourceful solutions

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field
• 9+ years of direct experience in hardware test operations
• 4+ years of leadership experience
• Experience in designing or operating cryogenic liquid engine, structural test or rocket launch facilities
• Demonstrated ability of taking on large-scale project ownership including all engineering, facility, and regulatory aspects
• Able to identify and procure appropriate test equipment
• Experience with software, data acquisition and automation control systems
• Experience in a startup or agile development environment

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in electrical, mechanical, or aerospace engineering with emphasis on laboratory and / or practical applications
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams on aggressive projects and timelines
• Demonstrated ability of building or operating a liquid rocket engine test stand
• Demonstrated experience in both production and development testing environments while driving improvement in associated processes and procedures

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 .

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.

S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.

S. Department of State. 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.

Impulse Space, the in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, is opening access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with its fleet of in-space transportation vehicles.

The high-energy Helios vehicle unlocks orbits beyond LEO with its powerful Deneb engine, dropping off payloads in MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits.

The flight-proven Mira vehicle uses a nontoxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system to offer orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry services to customers throughout LEO.

Led by a team that delivered the most reliable rockets in history, Impulse provides economical and efficient in-space transportation by reliably and rapidly getting customers where they want to go.