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Systems & Test

Optical Test Engineer II

Impulse Space logoImpulse Space$115,000–$165,000/yrRedondo Beach, CaliforniaFull-timePosted 1d ago

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 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.

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)

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