Manufacturing Engineer (Avionics / RF Electronics)

Impulse Space•Redondo Beach, CA

13d•$100,000 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

As a Manufacturing Engineer (Avionics / RF Electronics) at Impulse, you will work with cross-functional teams to build and test flight avionics hardware for space applications, with a focus on RF electronics such as radios, antennas, antenna hats and related electronic assemblies. You will own manufacturing readiness, production support, and test execution for RF hardware. This role requires a strong understanding of PCBAs, antennas, RF hardware manufacturing, and test, with the ability to support a product throughout its lifecycle from design and development through flight builds and delivery. Leveling will be commensurate with experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
2+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, test engineering, electrical engineering, or production support involving space-grade or RF electronic hardware
Experience supporting and troubleshooting the manufacturing and testing of electronic assemblies, avionics, RF hardware, or similar complex electronics
Ability to systematically troubleshoot failures and distinguish between device failures, manufacturing defects, test equipment problems, test setup issues, and software or automation failures
Experience interpreting electrical schematics, engineering drawings, test procedures, specifications, and manufacturing documentation
Experience with failure analysis and root-cause investigation of electronic hardware
Experience working with technicians to improve manufacturing processes and conduct technical training

Nice To Haves

3+ years of manufacturing, production test, or hardware engineering experience with avionics, RF electronics, communication systems, or spaceflight hardware
Experience manufacturing and testing radios, antennas, antenna hats, amplifiers, filters, or other RF hardware
Strong understanding of fundamental RF concepts and common RF measurements
Hands-on experience with vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, RF signal generators, power meters, oscilloscopes, and RF test fixtures
Experience troubleshooting RF test setups
Experience with automated test environments using Python or similar tools
Experience reviewing automated test logs, measurement data, and software output to identify whether failures originate in the test system or the hardware under test
Experience with PCB/PCBA manufacturing, soldering processes, connectors, conformal coating, mechanical integration, or electromechanical assemblies
Familiarity with workmanship and electronics manufacturing standards such as IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, or equivalent aerospace requirements
Experience providing DFM, DFA, and DFT feedback for avionics or RF hardware
Experience with environmental qualification and acceptance testing for spaceflight electronics
Knowledge of common failure modes affecting RF and electronic hardware in launch and space environments
Experience working closely with technicians in a fast-paced production environment and independently driving hardware and test issues to root cause

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and improve manufacturing processes for avionics RF hardware, including radios, antennas, antenna hats, RF mechanical assemblies, printed circuit board assemblies, and related space electronics
Analyze manufacturing and test data to reduce defects, improve quality, increase first-pass yield, and implement process improvements
Support failure analysis during prototype and production builds to determine root causes
Collaborate with electrical design, mechanical design, and test automation teams to provide DFM/DFA feedback and improve manufacturability and testability
Support production testing of RF and avionics hardware, including functional, performance, acceptance, and environmental testing
Troubleshoot RF test failures and determine whether the root cause is associated with the hardware under test, test setup, instrumentation, or automated test system
Support existing automated test systems by reviewing test logs and results, troubleshooting failures, and making small software or configuration changes as needed
Develop and maintain production and test procedures, work instructions, manufacturing documentation, and troubleshooting guides
Provide day-to-day support to the production floor, resolving build and test issues
Provide technical guidance and training to manufacturing and test technicians
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure avionics and RF hardware meet reliability and performance requirements for space environments