Senior Test Engineer; Avionics

Compensation: $120,000 - $185,000 / year

Department: Assembly, Integration & Test

Location: Redondo Beach

As a Senior Avionics Test Engineer, you will develop and run tests for all kinds of flight electrical devices, from individual circuit boards to entire vehicles. You will create, build, and maintain test systems to support hardware from development to production, working closely with avionics hardware engineers, propulsion engineers, GNC engineers, production engineers, and others. You will contribute to all stages of spacecraft development, from initial concepts to on-orbit operations.

• Develop end-to-end test systems that validate flight electrical hardware including circuit boards, optical devices, and electromechanical assemblies.
• Own the setup, operation, and troubleshooting of electrical test equipment and ground support hardware.
• Develop automated testing solutions to collect, analyze, and document test data.
• Build and maintain test systems, racks, and setups for component level and integrated testbeds.
• Provide feedback to design engineers to improve Impulse’s overall avionics ecosystem.
• Collaborate with avionics, propulsion, GNC, software, and integration engineers to verify complete test coverage of existing and new test systems.
• Support launch site activities by traveling with the spacecraft and conducting pre‑launch tests.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field.
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience testing electrical systems.
• Proficiency in circuit board design using Altium Designer.
• Experience designing and owning test systems from concept to implementation.
• Experience executing tests to support product development and prototyping.
• Comfortable working with design engineers to anticipate and derive test requirements for under‑defined systems.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to lead meetings, plan projects, and communicate decisions and rationale.

• 5+ years of demonstrated experience working on a vehicle project of any kind (spacecraft, rocket, car, boat, plane, drone, etc.).
• Experience designing test stands and/or hardware racks.
• Experience designing tests for a production environment.
• Experience working with NI hardware (cRIO, cDAQ, etc.).
• Experience safely operating hazardous systems (high voltage, high pressure, etc.).
• Experience with vibe tables, thermal chambers, or other aerospace test equipment.
• Familiarity with spacecraft systems and test campaigns.
• Demonstrated success in root cause and/or failure analysis.

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and market data. 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, full‑time hires may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, stock options, and access to medical, vision, and dental coverage, as well as a 401(k) retirement plan.

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or otherwise authorized as defined by the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.

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