Thermal & Vacuum Test Engineer

Impulse Space•Redondo Beach, CA

56d•$105,000 - $165,000

About The Position

As a Thermal &Vacuum Test Engineer at Impulse, you will design, develop, and operate environmental test systems that support qualification and acceptance testing for spacecraft components and integrated systems. The ideal candidate will be responsible for both the engineering design of test assets and hands-on execution of thermal and vacuum tests to validate flight hardware performance under space-like conditions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
3+ years of experience in thermal vacuum testing or environmental test system design
Hands-on experience with vacuum chambers, pumps, thermal control systems, and instrumentation
Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and vacuum technology principles
Proficiency in data acquisition and control systems (e.g., LabVIEW, PLCs, or Python-based automation)
Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings and electrical schematics
Excellent communication and documentation skills
Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities

Nice To Haves

M.S. degree in a relevant engineering discipline
Familiarity with standards such as NASA GEVS, MIL-STD-1540, or ECSS environmental test requirements
Experience in aerospace hardware qualification and flight hardware certification testing
Experience designing or modifying TVAC chambers, including thermal plate design and LN₂ systems
Knowledge of cryogenic systems, thermal shrouds, or high-vacuum pumping technologies
Ability to manage multiple test campaigns in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

Design and build thermal and vacuum test assets, including chambers, thermal control systems, and associated instrumentation
Develop and maintain test procedures, safety protocols, and configuration documentation for environmental testing
Operate and maintain thermal vacuum (TVAC) chambers and supporting infrastructure to execute thermal cycling, bake-out, and vacuum performance tests
Coordinate with design and analysis teams to define test requirements, boundary conditions, and acceptance criteria
Perform data acquisition and analysis to verify compliance with test objectives and generate detailed test reports
Ensure system reliability and maintain calibration of temperature and pressure measurement systems
Troubleshoot and resolve issues with vacuum systems, pumps, heaters, and control electronics
Drive continuous improvement in test methods, efficiency, and asset capability