Senior Propulsion Analyst; Fluids

Job Title: Senior Propulsion Analyst (Fluids)

Department: Propulsion

Location: Redondo Beach, CA

Compensation: $135,000 - $185,000 / year

• Perform and document fluids and thermal analyses of liquid propellant rocket engine, tanks and feed systems.
• Size propellant management devices (PMDs), baffles and/or screens with industry standard equations and techniques.
• Perform CFD analysis of internal flow geometries.
• Analyze propellant tank phenomena including zero‑ and micro‑gravity fluid management, propellant slosh and mass gauging.
• Assist with validation testing of internal tank propellant management devices (baffles, AVDs, bubble point screens, etc).
• Ensure model predictions are grounded through a practical hands‑on approach.
• Contribute to developing analysis processes and tools company‑wide, achieve buy‑in with key stakeholders, and provide training for general use.
• Provide professional development, mentorship, and technical guidance to peers.

• B.S. degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or a comparable field.
• 4+ years of demonstrated experience with fluid/thermal analysis on liquid propellant rocket engines, rocket stages, spacecraft or similar high‑performance systems.
• 4+ years of professional experience in fluid analysis with commercial software (e.g. Fluent, CFX, SINDA/FLUINT) and hand‑calc methods.
• Basic experience with 3D CAD software (NX preferred).

• Advanced degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or a comparable field.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced, startup environment.
• Strong fundamentals in compressible & in compressible fluid mechanics and heat‑transfer, including hand calculation methods.
• Advanced proficiency with a commercial CFD tool through all stages of the workflow (geometry prep, mesh generation, setup, convergence, post‑processing).
• Familiarity with ANSYS CFX, ANSYS Fluent, and/or Star‑CCM+.
• Familiarity with multi‑phase fluid modeling and acceleration dominated fluid dynamics.
• Experience with anchoring CFD analysis to test or flight data.
• Experience with water hammer and fluid network modeling (SINDA/FLUINT or other similar tools).
• Programming experience for creating analysis tools or performing hand‑calc methods. Python preferred; MATLAB or other high‑level languages acceptable.
• Experience in root‑cause analysis.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Flexible schedule and willingness to travel as needed.

Impulse Space offers a competitive compensation package, including base salary and eligibility for long‑term incentives in the form of stock options. Full‑time hires also receive comprehensive medical, vision, and 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 ITAR and EAR. Applicants must be U.S. Persons or persons eligible to obtain an export license from U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable agencies.

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment 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.