Principal Mechanical Engineer - COPVs

Department: Vehicle Engineering

Location: Redondo Beach

Compensation: $135,000 - $215,000 / year

As a Mechanical Engineer (COPVs) for our Vehicle Engineering Team, you will own all aspects of the design, analysis, build, test and integration of flight composite over wrapped pressure vessels – working with cross-functional engineering teams to accomplish this. This means cradle-to-grave ownership of the COPVs and development of next generation cutting edge bottles to support future vehicles and missions.

Leveling will be commensurate with experience.

• Design, analyze, build, test, and document both innovative COPVs and COPV mounting structures
• Formulate the comprehensive cradle to grave Road Map for your hardware
• Automate COPV development and processes to streamline design, analysis, and documentation
• Work with and strengthen relationships with key suppliers who support COPV processes, components, and materials
• Size COPVs for future vehicles understanding system requirements and trade space
• Support first article build through the ramp to production in collaboration with the manufacturing team, rolling in DFM and reliability improvements
• Support development and qualification test campaigns in collaboration with the test team, creating test plans to gather key learnings and demonstrate flight worthiness
• Establish driving load cases and environments in collaboration with the loads/dynamics and thermal teams
• Collaborate effectively and frequently with manufacturing working on the shop floor to understand fabrication processes, incorporate feedback, and address needs

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 12+ years’ experience working with composite materials
• 12+ years demonstrated experience designing and analyzing COPVs, SRMs, or similar
• Passion for working with composites, COPVs, and high-pressure systems
• Hands on experience fabricating composite parts either at university or in industry
• Strong knowledge of hand calculations for structural sizing and model validation
• Strong understanding of mechanics of materials, material failure modes, and associated analysis methods
• Familiarity with a wide set of manufacturing processes across both metallics and composites such as machining, forming, lamination, and winding
• Proficiency with CAD software and ability to learn new tools
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively across different teams
• Ability to communicate technical challenges, explain rationale and/or resolve concerns

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 12+ years of demonstrated experience designing and analyzing highly performant structures with space-flown hardware
• Experience developing COPVs shown to be used in ground or space applications
• Experience with structural testing, validation, and correlation methods
• Experience working on a spacecraft or launch vehicle development effort
• Experience in a startup or agile development environment
• Experience with NX, Teamcenter, Abaqus, and Woundsim

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…