Materials Technician (Mechanical Test)

Impulse Space • Redondo Beach, CA

12h • $35 - $40 • Onsite

About The Position

As a Materials Engineering Technician at Impulse, you will anchor our mechanical testing capabilities. In this role, you will be hands-on in the lab, executing critical testing on a wide variety of materials including advanced metals, polymers, composites, and ceramic that make up our orbital vehicles and propulsion systems. You will be responsible for ensuring that all testing adheres to strict industry standards, managing test setups, and guaranteeing the integrity of the data that drives our engineering decisions.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 3+ years of direct experience operating mechanical testing equipment in a structured laboratory environment
• Proven hands-on experience testing a broad range of material classes: metals, polymers, composites, and ceramics
• Deep functional knowledge of mechanical testing standards (e.g., ASTM E8, D3039, D638, C1161) and specimen geometry requirements
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to safely handle high-load testing equipment and delicate sensors (extensometers, strain gauges)
• Excellent meticulousness regarding data entry, traceability, and documentation

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related technical field (or equivalent combination of education and hands-on experience)
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience with prior experience working environmental mechanical testing, such as testing in cryogenic chambers, elevated temperature furnaces, or vacuum environments within in the aerospace or defense industries
• Hands-on experience with basic machining (mills, lathes, band saws) to fabricate or modify custom test fixtures on the fly
• Knowledge of advanced strain measurement techniques, including Digital Image Correlation (DIC)
• Familiarity with metallographic preparation or basic failure analysis post-testing
• Experience performing fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth rate tests

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate universal testing machines to perform tensile, compression, flexural, shear, and fatigue testing across diverse material groups
• Interpret and strictly adhere to ASTM, ISO, and custom internal testing standards for aerospace applications
• Manage the end-to-end specimen preparation process, ensuring precise dimensional tolerances and surface finishes are met prior to testing
• Select, install, and align appropriate gripping and fixturing for complex test setups, including high-temperature, cryogenic, or non-standard geometries
• Record, process, and compile test data into clear, concise reports for the materials and design engineering teams
• Perform routine maintenance, calibration checks, and troubleshooting on laboratory equipment to minimize downtime
• Maintain a highly organized, safe, and efficient laboratory environment

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED