Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Composites)
- US citizenship
- ITAR / US person
How this pay compares
This posting states $140k–$190k 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 above the middle half of what they post.
Manufacturing engineers in California: pay by town and employer
About the job
As a Composites Manufacturing Engineer at Impulse Space you will development and manufacture state-of-the-art composite builds for current & future vehicles.
You will work with cross-discipline engineering teams & outside vendors to deliver flight hardware. ## Responsibilities - Responsible for all aspects of various flight and development composite parts from process development, to build, test, and integration - Composite material coupon fabrication, testing, and allowables development - Continuously improve process development surrounding all aspects of composite part manufacturing - Own various composite process specification drafting and development - Tooling design for composite part fabrication, shop aids, and assembly - Work directly with machinists & technicians to produce high-quality hardware - Work directly with outside vendors - Spec, purchase, and implement equipment to aid in composite fabrication - Engage in various development projects to test feasibility of composite part designs ## Minimum Qualifications - Bachelors’ degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering - 5+ years of direct hands on experience with composite part fabrication utilizing prepreg, wet laminate, or filament winding - Demonstrates extreme attention to detail - 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 mechanical or materials engineering - 8+ years of direct hands on experience with composite part fabrication utilizing prepreg, wet laminate, or filament winding - 4+ years of demonstrated experience with spacecraft, aircraft, or automotive composite part design and fabrication - 2+ years of full lifecycle experience (design, low-rate production, scaled production) with COPV's and COPV liners - Creative design solutions to complex problems - Ability to work with complex assemblies - Experience with Siemens NX - Experience working on a launch vehicle or satellite development effort - Experience in a startup or agile development environment - 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).
More open jobs at Impulse Space
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- Propulsion Engineer, Stage$100,000–$140,000/yr
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- Manufacturing Engineering Intern (Spring 2027)$30/hr
More space manufacturing and technician jobs
- Senior Manufacturing Engineer I - Avionics & Test$115,200–$144,000/yr
- Senior Manufacturing Engineer II - Avionics & Test$132,000–$176,000/yr
- Manufacturing Engineer$100,000–$130,000/yr
- Manufacturing Engineer (Tanks)$68,000–$80,000/yr
- CNC Lathe Machinist I and II, Prototype Shop$29–$40/hr
- Manufacturing Engineer, Machining & Additive Associate (Winter 2027)$1,925/wk
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