Avionics Test Engineer
- US citizenship
- ITAR / US person
How this pay compares
This posting states $105k–$150k a year. Open test engineer jobs in California post a median of $155k a year, the middle half $135k–$177k, across 179 jobs that state their pay, so this one is below the middle half of what they post.
About the job
As an 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 develop, build, and maintain test systems to support hardware from development to production. You will work directly with avionics hardware engineers, propulsion engineers, GNC engineers, production engineers, production technicians, and others.
You will have the opportunity to contribute to all the stages of spacecraft development, from initial concepts to on-orbit operations.
Leveling will be commensurate with experience. ## Responsibilities - 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 modular test automation software using Linux, Python, Rust, C++, etc. - 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. ## Minimum Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in any relevant engineering field - 2+ years of demonstrated experience testing electrical systems - Programming experience using Python, Rust, C++ or a comparable language - Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout using Altium Designer or equivalent tools - Strong organizational skills with the ability to lead meetings, plan projects, and communicate decisions / rationale ## Preferred Skills and Experience - 5+ years of demonstrated experience working on a vehicle project of any kind (spacecraft, rocket, car, boat, plane, drone, etc.) - Proficiency in circuit board design using Altium Designer - Experience designing test stands and/or hardware racks - Experience designing test automation for a production environment - Experience with NI hardware (cRIO, cDAQ etc.) - Demonstrated knowledge of analog/digital path debugging and communication protocols - Familiarity with SMC-S-016 or MIL-STD-810 testing methods, including vibration, shock, and thermal testing - Familiarity with spacecraft systems and test campaigns - Demonstrated success in root cause and/or failure analysis ## 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.
From Impulse Space's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
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About Impulse Space
Transfer vehicles that carry satellites past the orbit their rocket leaves them in.
Pay on its listings: 100% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
How it pays: Paid as an employee on Impulse Space's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).
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- Manufacturing Engineering Intern (Spring 2027)$30/hr
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