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Staff Manufacturing Engineer (CMC Applications)
Job Location:
Job Location:
Redondo Beach, CA - USA
Yearly Salary:
USD 175000 - 215000
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
29 September 2026 (Yesterday)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
27 December 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Department:
Job Summary
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.
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.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelors 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 Masters 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.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- 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.
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 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 Spaces 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.
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 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 Spaces 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.
Required Experience:
Staff IC
