Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Spacecraft Machining)
- US citizenship
- ITAR / US person
How this pay compares
This posting states $145k–$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 above the middle half of what they post.
Manufacturing engineers in California: pay by town and employer
About the job
As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer,you will own all aspects of manufacturing spacecraft chassis & aluminum panels, set up machining cells, and iterate products from development test articles to high volume production.
Impulse is building an exceptional team and this position is a growth opportunity open to high performers of any experience level above the basic qualifications (Staff, Principal, etc.). ## Responsibilities - Own all aspects of spacecraft component manufacturing from product inception and iteration to volume production (i.e. tank skins, vehicle structures, large & thin aluminum hardware) - Work with various CAM software (i.e.
NX, MasterCam) and strong ability to learn and become expert in new software rapidly - Install advanced CNC machining work centers and develop processes for prototype, test and flight hardware - Work with the design and development teams to iterate designs for manufacturability and produce highly reliable, cost-efficient components - Resolve technical issues with innovative and resourceful solutions - Grow your experience in numerous manufacturing fields to advance in house production capabilities and forge our path through space ## Minimum Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or related field - 5+ year(s) of experience with CNC machines and various CAM packages (NX, MasterCam, HSM Works, Fusion 360, ESPRIT, Hypermill, etc.) - 5+ year(s) of experience in a design, test, manufacturing, or production environment - Experience on 5-axis mills and/or routers - Experience on manual and CNC mills and/or lathes - Ability to rapidly pick up new CAM software and manage large tool libraries - Demonstrated ability of taking project ownership and working well in small teams ## Preferred Skills and Experience - 7+ years of demonstrated experience with CNC machines and various CAM packages (HSM Works, Fusion 360, ESPRIT, Hypermill, etc.) - 5+ years of demonstrated experience programming machining for spacecraft components (structures), experience programming in MAX-PAC - Excited to setup, work on and manufacture hardware on the shop floor.
Develop production processes from the ground up including driving design improvements for manufacturing - Self-starter able to identify problems and implement solutions with limited supervision - Experience on various machines and OEM software including Heidenhain, Okuma OSP, Siemens, Fanuc, etc. - Experience setting up machine shops, recommending and evaluating capital for purchase - Extremely hands on.
Experience with fabrication tools and processes (electric/pneumatic power tools, manual lathes/mills, calipers, welding equipment, etc.) - Familiarity with CAD software (NX or equivalent), geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and work holding design and analysis Prior experience working in a fast-paced agile product development environment - Flexible schedule and willing to travel as needed - Python / SQL programming experience or similar - High attention to detail and rapid pace of execution ## 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. ## 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.
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
NESC Staffing (Nesco Resource)Engineering and technical staffing agency
Engineering and technical staffing firm placing engineers, designers, technicians and manufacturing staff on contract and direct hire.
Places: Mechanical, Avionics, Systems & Test, Technicians
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 space manufacturing and technician jobs 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 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
A certified technician, machinist or welder?
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.