Avionics Mechanical Engineer

Department: Avionics

Location: Redondo Beach

Compensation: $115,000 - $150,000 / year

Description

At Impulse, Avionics Mechanical Engineers own the mechanical design of the hardware that enables spacecraft avionics to survive and perform in space. In this role, you’ll design everything from PCBA enclosures and mounting brackets to higher-complexity assemblies such as battery packs, antennas, and optical devices. You’ll work across disciplines to turn ambitious vehicle concepts into flight-ready hardware.

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys moving quickly, solving multidisciplinary problems, and taking designs from early architecture through test and qualification.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical hardware for high-performance avionics systems used in demanding space environments.
• Partner closely with electrical, structures, thermal, dynamics, and integration engineers to create efficient, high-performing product architectures.
• Own designs from concept through analysis, prototype, test, iteration, and qualification.
• Perform and support analyses of structural modes, stresses, strains, thermal behavior, and other critical performance metrics.
• Generate mechanical drawings with GD&T for components and assemblies, and work with the in-house machine shop or outsourced vendors to get parts fabricated
• Create test plans and execute development, validation, and qualification testing as designs mature.
• Improve manufacturability and assembly by developing clear build processes, documentation, and technician-friendly work instructions.
• Lead and contribute to CoDRs, PDRs, and CDRs, clearly communicating design rationale, tradeoffs, and risks to cross-functional stakeholders.
  
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 3 years of experience in mechanical design.
• Strong CAD skills and the ability to learn new tools quickly.
• Experience designing metal parts with manufacturing and assembly in mind.
• Working knowledge of GD&T and tolerancing.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain design decisions, surface risks, and drive resolution across teams.
  
  
  

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience designing hardware for vibration, thermal, vacuum, or other challenging operating environments.
• 5 years of experience with one or more of the following: motor design, optics, harness routing, RF hardware, or vacuum chamber/environment design.
• Experience working in a startup or other fast-paced development environment.
• Experience with NX and Teamcenter.
  
  

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.