Optical Test Engineer II
- US citizenship
- ITAR / US person
How this pay compares
This posting states $115k–$165k 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 within the middle half of what they post.
About the job
As an Optical Test Engineer at Impulse, you will be responsible for designing, procuring, assembling, and operating optomechanical test setups while working closely with a fast paced, agile team that produces high-performance spacecraft from clean sheet designs. ## Responsibilities - Design and build optical, mechanical, and electrical systems in support of spacecraft optomechanical components - Fully own key test assets and major test programs while collaborating with wide ranging teams across the company - Coordinate with external vendors and contractors to meet project technical and schedule objectives - Perform test setup, hardware inspections, checkouts and troubleshooting as needed - Conduct test operations geared toward rapidly developing hardware for spaceflight - Resolve technical issues with innovative and resourceful solutions ## Minimum Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, optical, aerospace, electrical engineering or related field - 3+ years of experience in optical hardware development testing - Strong engineering fundamentals in optical, mechanical, and electrical analysis - Prior hands-on operational experience working with test facilities - Previously demonstrated ownership of test stand design and build-up - Able to identify and procure appropriate test equipment - Proficient with data acquisition and control methods - Demonstrated ability of taking project ownership and working well in small teams ## Preferred Skills and Experience - Advanced degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline - 4+ years of experience in hardware development testing - Familiarity with optical testing methods to determine metrics such as MTF, distortion and wavefront error - Demonstrated hardware testing experience with star trackers, cameras, lasers or other spacecraft optical components - Experience with Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, or similar optical modeling tools - Familiarity with environmental qualification testing for flight hardware - Prior experience with optical alignment and precision metrology - Experience in a startup or agile development environment ## Additional Requirements: - Flexible schedule and willing to travel as needed ## 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.
Selected agencies hiring now
Moseley Technical ServicesEngineering and technical staffing agency
Engineering and technical staffing firm in Huntsville, Alabama, placing engineers and A&P, sheet metal, CNC and quality technicians.
Places: Propulsion, Mechanical, Avionics, RF & Payloads
Contract Professionals Inc (CPI)Engineering and technical staffing agency
Aerospace and defense staffing firm in Waterford, Michigan, placing engineers, maintenance technicians, mechanics, welders and CNC machinists.
Places: Propulsion, Mechanical, Avionics, RF & Payloads
These agencies and apps pay SpaceJobs.Now a referral fee when someone we introduce is placed or signs up. It costs you nothing and never changes your pay. Employers' own jobs below keep their own order.
Sponsored jobs from job networks, which pay SpaceJobs.Now when you click one.
Free tools for this application: check your resume against this job, answer the application's questions or see every free tool.
New systems engineering, integration and test jobs in space in California, by email
One email a week with the newest ones, straight from the employers' own careers sites, with the pay each posting states. Free, stop anytime.
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).
More open jobs at Impulse Space
- Staff Digital Signal Processing Engineer$145,000–$185,000/yr
- Embedded Software Engineer$130,000–$280,000/yr
- Avionics Technician (Electromechanical Assembly)$25–$45/hr
- Propulsion Engineer, Stage$100,000–$140,000/yr
- Senior Propulsion Engineer, Stage$140,000–$195,000/yr
- Manufacturing Engineering Intern (Spring 2027)$30/hr
More systems engineering, integration and test jobs in space
- Software System Engineer
- Engineer Senior Principal - CONOPS - $10,000 SIGN-ON BONUS$132,962–$226,035/yr
- Engineer Senior Principal – Space Vehicle Systems / Simulators$132,962–$226,035/yr
- Associate Manager, Integration and Test Engineering 1
- Scientist, Systems Engineering (Chief Systems Engineer): Sign-on bonus ($50k max) 1
- Hardware Test Engineer$110,000–$176,000/yr
A systems, integration or test engineer?
One profile for every employer here. Space companies and their recruiters ask us for people with a specific degree, clearance, specialty or location: add yours once, and when a job fits, we introduce you, only with your yes. Free.
Impulse Space openings, sent to you weekly
Each week we send the newest postings from Impulse Space's own careers site, along with similar openings at other space employers. It costs nothing and you can stop anytime.