Develop, operate, and maintain automation, data acquisition, and control software for propulsion test stands and component benches. Implement automation frameworks, support test lifecycle from integration to execution, diagnose hardware-software issues, and collaborate with test operations and propulsion engineers. Provide onsite support for test asset bring-up and debugging.
As a Test Automation Engineer at Impulse, you will develop and operate the software systems that power our propulsion test infrastructure. You’ll be responsible for automation, data acquisition, and control software used across our engine test stands, valve test benches, and other propulsion component test assets. In this role, you’ll collaborate closely with test operations, propulsion engineers, and other cross‑functional teams to ensure rapid, reliable, and high‑fidelity testing of critical flight hardware.
Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and maintain automation software for propulsion test operations, including near–real‑time data acquisition, control systems, automated test sequences, and user-facing tools.
- Implement automation frameworks to streamline setup, execution, and analysis for propulsion component testing (e.g., engines, valves, pressure systems).
- Work closely with the test operations team to continually refine and optimize the software used on test assets.
- Participate in the full test lifecycle—from concept and integration to execution, debugging, and iterative improvement.
- Review and contribute high‑quality, well‑tested code within a collaborative, fast‑moving environment
- Diagnose and resolve issues across software, hardware interfaces, and test infrastructure with resourceful, hands‑on problem‑solving.
- Work onsite with engineering and test teams to support rapid propulsion development.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science or related field.
- Experience developing user-facing software applications related to networking, hardware control and data acquisition.
- 2+ years of demonstrated proficiency with python or an object-oriented programming language & demonstrated hands-on experience operating the software.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Demonstrated knowledge of basic data acquisition, control principles, and hardware‑software integration.
- Experience with software best practices and workflows, including git.
- Demonstrated ability of taking project ownership and working well in small teams.
- Master’s degree in electrical, software, mechanical, or aerospace engineering.
- Familiarity or experience with Propulsion Systems development testing.
- LabVIEW certification (CLAD, CLD, CLA).
- Experience with real‑time operating systems or deterministic control software.
- Hands-on experience with design, build, and operation of electrical systems.
- Understanding of core networking concepts such as IP addressing, Ethernet, VLANs, and PTP.
- Experience in a startup or agile development environment.
Travel Requirement
- Occasional travel to our Mojave test site to support new test asset bring‑up, onsite debugging, and coordination with the test team. Travel is planned and infrequent, focused on high‑impact activities.
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.
About
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.
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