Manager, Spacecraft Actuators
This role falls under U.S. export rules, so the posting asks for U.S. person status. That means a U.S. citizen, a green card holder, a refugee or an asylee.
About the role
As the Manager for Spacecraft Actuatorsat Impulse, you will own all aspects of spacecraft actuator design, analysis, implementation, operation, sustainment, and improvement while working with a fast paced, agile team that produces high-performance spacecraft components from clean sheet design.
Responsibilities
- Lead a team of all-star responsible engineers working on actuators spanning multiple spacecraft and functions including but not limited to high-speed rotary devices, EMA throttle valves, fluid pumps, and precision thrust vector control actuators
- Determine product roadmap of the actuators by working closely with partner teams, leadership, and business development
- Architect and implement engineering processes to streamline actuator development, test, and sustainment through production ramp
- Create and execute test campaigns
- Work with wide ranging teams across engineering, manufacturing, and operations to deliver reliable high-performing components to flight vehicles
- Direct technical ownership and individual contributor work of an actuator
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or related field
- Past results and execution developing, testing, and flying multiple mechanisms or actuators in space as a technical individual contributor
- Strong technical knowledge in one or more actuator components
- Professional experience managing and growing a team
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
- 4+ years of demonstrated experience working in lead roles on spacecraft actuators design and development
- Ownership of the technical development of an actuator through the entirety of its design cycle: conceptualization, system level trades, design, analysis, test, build, integration, and flight operations
- 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.
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.
Copied from the listing Impulse Space published, verified 31 Oct 2026.
About Impulse Space
Transfer vehicles that carry satellites past the orbit their rocket leaves them in.
Redondo Beach is Impulse Space's headquarters, a 60,000-square-foot site where it designs, builds, tests and assembles most of its Mira and Helios vehicles. (Source: Impulse Space)
Similar open roles

Security Officer (opens the job details)
Blue Origin · Supply Chain · Greater Seattle Area· 2w agoDetails
$21.03–$29.44/hr
Manager, Information Security Management (opens the job details)
SES · Software & IT · Bucharest, Romania· 1d agoDetails

Dream Chaser Flight Controller (Systems Engineer II) (opens the job details)
Sierra Space · Launch & Ops · Louisville, CO, United States· 4mo agoDetails
$94,090–$129,394.75/yr

Security Officer 3 (opens the job details)
SpaceX · Supply Chain · Cape Canaveral, FL· 4w agoDetails
Experienced in Mechanical, Structures & Thermal?
Space employers come to us looking for a particular skill, location or credential. Leave your details one time, at no cost, and we put you forward when a role matches, never without your yes.
Impulse Space openings, sent to your inbox
Each week we send what Impulse Space posted since the last email, with comparable openings at other space companies. No cost, and you can stop it with one click.
Hiring for Impulse Space? Feature this role to get a marked Featured slot above the lists and the lead place in the weekly job email for 30 days. Pricing:$99 for a single role, or $299 to cover every role you have open. To see who else is hiring your disciplines and at what pay, read the monthly space hiring brief.