Sr. Manager, Propulsion Manufacturing

Department: Manufacturing

Location: Redondo Beach

Compensation: $165,000 - $195,000 / year

Description

As a Sr. Manager of Propulsion Manufacturing at Impulse, lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for the production and scalability of our propulsion systems, including rocket engines, thrusters, turbomachinery, and associated hardware for both our Saiph thrusters & Deneb engine. You will be a key interface between design engineering, production, supply chain, and test operations to ensure the manufacturability, quality, and performance of propulsion hardware from development through full-rate production.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a team of manufacturing engineers & technicians supporting propulsion system components including combustion chambers, turbopumps, injectors, valves, and tanks
• Drive design-for-manufacturing (DFM) initiatives in collaboration with design engineering teams
• Oversee the development and implementation of production processes, fixtures, and tooling to support new product introduction and sustainment of flight hardware
• Establish manufacturing strategies that balance cost, lead time, reliability, and performance
• Partner with test and integration teams to ensure propulsion hardware meets performance and safety requirements
• Own root cause investigations and corrective actions for propulsion-related manufacturing non-conformances
• Support make/buy decisions and supplier development for key propulsion components\
• Champion continuous improvement across manufacturing operations using Lean, Six Sigma, and advanced data analytics techniques
• Ensure compliance with aerospace manufacturing standards and best practices
• Set technical direction and mentorship for a high-performing team of engineers
  
  
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• 8+ years of experience in propulsion system development and/or manufacturing in the aerospace industry
• 5+ years of experience in technical team leadership or management
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with propulsion system hardware, including machining, welding, brazing, additive manufacturing, and testing
• Strong familiarity with CAD tools, manufacturing planning, and ERP/MRP systems
  
  
  
  

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, or MBA
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience with cryogenic and/or hypergolic propulsion systems
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience manufacturing propulsion assemblies for rockets, launch vehicles, satellites, or spacecraft
• Familiarity with AS9100, NASA or DoD standards for propulsion
• Proven success in scaling production from prototype to full-rate manufacturing
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, startup or new product environment

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.