Staff Manufacturing Engineer (CMC Applications)

Impulse Space•Redondo Beach, CA

10d•$175,000 - $215,000•Onsite

About The Position

As a Staff or Principal Manufacturing Engineer for CMC Applications at Impulse Space, you will own the end-to-end ceramic matrix composite manufacturing capability, from material selection and process development to qualified, flight-ready hot-section hardware. You will work across propulsion, structures, materials, and quality, and directly with floor technicians, to take ultra-high-temperature composite parts from concept to rate production.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, chemistry, physics, or a related technical field.
5+ years of experience developing or producing high-temperature materials or advanced composites, ceramic matrix composites, carbon-carbon, refractory metals, ablatives, or comparable systems; or a Master's degree with 3+ years; or a PhD in a relevant field with 1+ years of hands-on experience.
Demonstrated experience in aerospace, defense, hypersonics, gas turbine, nuclear, energy, or industrial ceramics.

Nice To Haves

CMC manufacturing for aerospace or defense flight hardware.
SiC matrix densification via CVI, with working knowledge of PIP, CVD, melt infiltration, and the trade-offs between them.
Vacuum and high-temperature furnace operation, instrumentation, and maintenance.
Rocket engine propulsion fundamentals and hot-section hardware manufacturing, nozzles, throats, combustion chambers, and thermal protection systems.
Fiber preform architecture: braiding, filament winding, 2D/3D weaving, additive preforming, and the effect of architecture on densification uniformity.
NDI methods for ceramic composites and interpretation of defect indications against acceptance criteria.
Finite element analysis of anisotropic and high-temperature materials.
Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and statistical process control in a low-volume, high-mix environment.
Working knowledge of AS9100 or comparable aerospace quality systems.
Experience taking a new process from lab or prototype scale into qualified-rate production.

Responsibilities

Own and mature the end-to-end manufacturing process for C/SiC and related ceramic composite hardware in ultra-high-temperature applications, from preform architecture through densification, machining, and coating.
Develop and qualify densification and joining processes (CVI, PIP, brazing), including furnace cycle definition, tooling, fixturing, and run-to-run repeatability.
Analyze candidate fiber, matrix, and coating systems and build the supply chain strategy: qualify vendors, dual-source critical materials, and de-risk long-lead precursors.
Define the inspection, acceptance, and validation approach for manufactured parts, NDI methods (CT, ultrasonic, thermography), coupon tests, allowable development, and first-article inspection.
Author and own process specifications, travelers, and work instructions; drive configuration control and change management.
Design tooling, mandrels, and shop aids for CMC part fabrication and assembly.
Partner with propulsion, structures, and thermal teams on DFM feedback so producibility is built into the design rather than discovered on the shop floor.
Lead root-cause investigations on process escapes and drive corrective actions using RCA and structured problem-solving.
Scale from prototype to rate production: capital equipment selection, facility layout, cycle time, yield, and cost per part.
Work directly with technicians and machinists on the floor to produce flight hardware.
Own the technical roadmap for CMC manufacturing capability, sequencing process development, capital investment, and qualification milestones against vehicle program needs.
Mentor engineers and technicians, and influence the technical standard for high-temperature materials manufacturing across the organization.