Senior Tooling/Ground Support Engineer
- US citizenship
- ITAR / US person
How this pay compares
This posting states $130k–$160k a year. Open mechanical engineer jobs in California post a median of $158k a year, the middle half $130k–$180k, across 266 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post.
Mechanical engineers in California: pay by town and employer
About the job
As a Tooling/Ground Support Engineer at Impulse, you will be responsible for designing tooling, fixturing, and support equipment, while working closely with a fast-paced, agile team that produces high-performance spacecraft from clean sheet designs. ## Responsibilities - Own the design, development, and implementation of tooling and fixturing for metallic and composite structures - Own design, development, and implementation of test equipment for to support testing of metallic and composite flight structures - Collaborate with designers, analysts, and engineers to support development and prototype of spacecraft designs and test stands - Work with manufacturing and supply chain groups to produce designs - Solve complex technical challenges with emphasis on speed of execution ## Minimum Qualifications - Bachelors' degree in mechanical, aerospace engineering or related field - 5+ years professional experience designing fixtures or tooling - Demonstrated experience using CAD and preparing manufacturing drawings - Demonstrated ability to communicate technical challenges, explain rationale and/or resolve concerns ## Preferred Skills and Experience - Proven experience working with metrology systems such as ROMER Arms, optical scanners, and laser trackers - Machining, fabrication, welding, or composite manufacturing experience - Ability to work with and manage large assemblies - Working knowledge of dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) - Familiarity with lifting and rigging methods - Experience with NX/Teamcenter - Experience in a startup or agile development environment ## 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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