Manufacturing Engineer (Tank Weldment/Primary Structure)
- US citizenship
- ITAR / US person
How this pay compares
This posting states $115k–$185k a year. Open manufacturing engineer jobs in California post a median of $141k a year, the middle half $130k–$163k, across 205 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post.
Manufacturing engineers in California: pay by town and employer
About the job
As aManufacturing Engineer for Tank Weldments at Impulse, you will be responsible for building the primary pressure boundary for Impulse’s new “Helios” kick-stage vehicle. This is a technical role in a development heavy environment, requiring execution on aggressive timelines and rapid design iterations.
The manufacturing engineer is expected to own design for manufacturability of their hardware and development of the manufacturing process. Additional Note: Leveling will be commensurate with experience. ## Responsibilities - Own the entire manufacturing life cycle for assigned projects & hardware - Own selection of manufacturing processes during the hardware design phase.
Identify manufacturing options to inform design. Own requirements associated with the manufacturing process. - Provide subject matter expertise on primary structure manufacturing processes including fusion welding, solid state welding, raw material processing, machining, non-destructive examination, and mechanical joining processes.
Participate in design trades and sign off on key decisions on how hardware is made. - Design, build and activate factory production cells.
Own factory layouts including material movement, build process flows, lifting and rigging solutions, and facilities requirements - Optimize and accelerate existing manufacturing processes for tank integration & supporting structures - Work directly with machinists, welders & technicians to produce hardware that meets all technical requirements.
Ideate and execute on projects to improve the technicians’ experience and provide design for manufacturability feedback based on technician feedback. - Provide technical guidance to outside vendors and support supply chain development - Update designs, manufacturing processes, and documentation to support continuous improvement - Support manufacturing capital projects, including new facility activations, automation efforts and new capability development ## Minimum Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, or related field - Demonstrate experience in developing manufacturing processes - Experience working in a hardware development environment - 3+ years of demonstrated hands-on manufacturing experience - Proficiency with CAD software and the ability to learn new tools - Ability to adapt from a quick and scrappy work environment to a mature highly controlled production environment ## Preferred Skills and Experience - Masters' degree in an engineering discipline - 5+ years' of demonstrated hands-on manufacturing experience within aerospace or related industry working with metallics structures - Previous experience working within a start-up - 3+ years' of demonstrated experience with welding (laser, friction stir weld, TIG, etc.) - Prior experience with spacecraft, aircraft, or automotive composite part design and fabrication - Experience working on a launch vehicle or satellite development effort - Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere ## 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.
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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