Full-Time
Production Coordinator
Spacecraft
Impulse Space
501-1,000 employees
Orbital maneuvering vehicles for payload delivery
Compensation Overview
$25 - $35/hr
Redondo Beach, CA, USA
In Person
 Aerospace Engineering (1) |
|---|
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- A high school diploma or equivalency certificate is required.
- At least 2 years of experience in manufacturing, production control, supply chain, operations, or planning is required.
- Basic computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook are required.
- Demonstrated experience using enterprise resource planning, material requirements planning, manufacturing execution, and/or quality management systems is required.
- Release and manage manufacturing work orders in enterprise resource planning and manufacturing execution systems.
- Coordinate handoffs between manufacturing work centers.
- Track work order progress and identify schedule risks.
- Support daily production standups and execution reviews.
- Escalate production delays, bottlenecks, and resource constraints.
- Verify material availability before work order release.
- Coordinate material staging and kit readiness activities.
- Identify and communicate material shortages.
- Partner with Inventory, Planning, and Procurement to resolve shortages.
- Maintain accurate work order status throughout the manufacturing lifecycle.
- Coordinate movement of hardware between departments.
- Drive execution of manufacturing priorities established by planners and program leadership.
- Support recovery plans for delayed or at-risk builds.
- Maintain accurate work order data within enterprise resource planning and manufacturing execution systems.
- Ensure location tracking and status updates are completed accurately.
- Support item master and planning data accuracy initiatives.
- Participate in process improvement projects to improve factory execution.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput, schedule adherence, and cycle time reduction.
- Partner with Planning, Manufacturing, Inventory, and Engineering teams to streamline cross-functional workflows.
- Support implementation of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives.
Impulse Space develops orbital maneuvering vehicles to enable last-mile payload delivery in space. Its vehicles are designed to deliver multiple payloads to distinct orbits from a single launch, using proven flight methods combined with advanced propulsion and control systems for precise orbital deployment. The company’s approach relies on vertical integration to tightly manage costs and speed up design and operations, supporting contracts with commercial satellite operators, space agencies, and other clients needing reliable space logistics. Green, non-toxic propellants and debris-minimization design choices help reduce environmental impact and orbital debris. The goal is to become a leading provider of space logistics by expanding its LEO EXPRESS missions and similar services, winning missions such as HAVEN-1 Space Station Propulsion, and growing through a steady stream of customer contracts.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
Series D
Total Funding
$1.1B
Headquarters
El Segundo, California
Founded
2021
Get referred to Impulse Space
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Impulse raised $500 million in June 2026, bringing total capital above $1 billion.
- The Space Force awarded a July 2026 NSSL Lane 1 task order for Helios.
- Impulse is hiring 200-plus roles after three missions and strong customer contract momentum.
What critics are saying
- Helios still depends on SpaceX Falcon 9 launches, concentrating schedule and vendor risk.
- Helios first flight slips to 2027, delaying revenue and validating the business model.
- SpaceX, ULA, and Blue Origin can undercut pricing and win the same missions.
What makes Impulse Space unique
- Mira and Helios combine flight-proven mobility with high-thrust and electric propulsion.
- Impulse built Electra in-house in six months, showing rare vertical integration speed.
- July 2026 NSSL Lane 1 win makes Impulse the first upper-stage prime.
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Benefits
Hybrid Work Options
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↓ -5%1 year growth
↓ -4%2 year growth
↓ -3%Impulse Space unveils in-house Electra Electric Propulsion system for orbital maneuvering. July 28, 2026 To resolve trade-offs between rapid impulse capability and high fuel efficiency during long-duration orbital missions, Impulse Space announced on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the introduction of Electra, its first in-house electric propulsion (EP) system. The low-thrust, high-efficiency engine is designed to complement the company's existing high-thrust chemical propulsion systems, enabling hybrid mobility architectures for in-space operations. Designed, manufactured, and tested vertically within six months at the company's Redondo Beach facility, Electra allows satellite operators to offload long-duration tasks - such as orbital stationkeeping and inclination adjustments - to the electric thruster. This preserves onboard chemical propellant for time-sensitive, high-thrust maneuvers. Engine specifications and hybrid architecture. The Electra system integrates directly into the avionics and power architecture of Impulse's spacecraft platforms. Key design and performance parameters include: * Propulsion Type: High-efficiency Electric Propulsion (EP) thruster designed for continuous low-thrust operations. * System Manufacturing: In-house vertical integration, encompassing custom drive electronics, power processing avionics, and internal thruster components. * Operational Role: Handles continuous stationkeeping and long-duration delta-v maneuvers, offloading up to 50% of the fuel capacity traditionally reserved in chemical systems for lifetime orbit maintenance. * Platform Compatibility: Engineered for hybrid configuration alongside high-thrust chemical thrusters on the company's orbital transfer vehicles. Program history and context. The addition of electric propulsion marks an expansion of Impulse Space's in-space transportation product lineup. Founded by former SpaceX propulsion lead Tom Mueller, Impulse built its initial flight heritage around its chemical-propulsion Mira orbital transfer vehicle. Mira previously validated its high-thrust capabilities during the LEO Express-1 and LEO Express-2 missions, followed by upgraded system tests on the LEO Express-3 mission. Incorporating EP hardware directly addresses customer requirements for extended multi-year orbital hosting and complex cislunar transit profiles. Leadership perspectives. "As launch becomes more accessible, the next frontier is enabling spacecraft to do more once they arrive in orbit," said Tom Mueller, Founder, CEO, and CTO of Impulse Space. "Our strategy has always been to develop the mobility technologies needed to support all missions after launch, and electric propulsion is an essential component of that strategy." "The best part of building Electra has been the opportunity to move fast and try new things," stated Charlie Kelly, Lead Electric Propulsion Engineer at Impulse Space. "We get to turn ideas into plasma in a matter of weeks or months, not years. We're still a small team, just a few people, which means every engineer gets to own a significant portion of our EP systems that will redefine the capabilities of Mira and future spacecraft." Flight qualification timeline. Impulse Space is executing qualification testing on flight-ready Electra engines to prepare the hardware for integration into upcoming Mira spacecraft production lines. Following qualification testing, the hybrid propulsion configuration will enter commercial service for multi-orbit payload delivery, constellation phasing, and responsive space missions.
Impulse Space, Relativity win spots on Air Force's $5.6B NSSL launch IDIQ. * Impulse Space and Relativity Federal joined the Space Force's NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 launch provider roster * Lane 1 supports risk-tolerant national security launch missions using commercial-capable vehicles * The Space Force plans to reopen the competition annually to add new providers and launch systems Impulse Space and Relativity Federal have secured positions on the U.S. Air Force's National Security Space Launch, or NSSL, Phase 3 Lane 1 contract, a potential $5.6 billion multiple-award vehicle for providing launch services supporting national security space missions. Explore the priorities shaping the future of national security space at the Potomac Officers Club's 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30, where Air Force, Space Force and NASA leaders will discuss space modernization, emerging technologies and FY27 priorities. Sign up now. What is the scope of the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 contract? The Department of War said Tuesday the firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts will support the launch of national security space payloads into their designated orbits. Performance locations and schedules will be established through individual task orders. Space Systems Command received three offers through the competitive acquisition. The service obligated $10 million in fiscal 2026 space procurement funds at the time of award. How does Lane 1 support National Security launch? NSSL Phase 3 uses a dual-lane acquisition strategy to expand assured access to space while supporting different mission requirements. Lane 1 is intended for more risk-tolerant launch missions using space vehicles capable of reaching commercial orbits. Blue Origin, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance were previously awarded spots in 2024 under the same $5.6 billion ceiling. The Space Force also plans to reopen the Lane 1 solicitation annually to allow additional launch providers and launch systems to compete for future task orders. At least 30 missions are expected to be competed under the base ordering period.
SpaceX's historic public debut puts the spotlight on the next generation of potential space innovators. June 18, 2026 The commercial space industry reached a defining moment this month as SpaceX made its long-awaited public market debut. In just days, the company became one of the world's most valuable publicly traded corporations, surpassing Amazon in market capitalization and cementing its position as the dominant force in the modern space economy.[1] The firm's record-breaking IPO raised approximately $75 billion and initially valued SpaceX at nearly $1.8 trillion before investor enthusiasm pushed its valuation above $2.6 trillion as of June 16.[2] The milestone serves as a validation of an industry that, until just a few years ago, was viewed by some, including its founder Elon Musk, as a high-risk segment of the broader tech ecosystem.[3] But SpaceX has demonstrated that private companies can build durable businesses around launch services and exploration after going from near-bankruptcy in 2008 to securing multi-billion-dollar governmental and corporate contracts.[4] As with any company that evolves from an ambitious startup into an industry-defining leader, success often inspires new entrants. In the wake of SpaceX's landmark public debut, private market investors may increasingly look to the next wave of space innovators poised to benefit from the industry's continued growth. With that backdrop in mind, two businesses that have the potential to grow within the sector are Blue Origin and Impulse Space, ones Forge Global, Inc. has provided highlights on. Blue Origin, a space and lunar exploration company. Founded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Kent, Washington-based Blue Origin has spent years building the infrastructure necessary to support multiple segments of the aerospace industry. Once popular for its tourism flights, including some high-profile celebrities like William Shatner, Katy Perry and Wally Funk, the company has shown signs of investing heavily in communications-related orbital transportation and lunar exploration. In fact, earlier this year, Blue Origin suspended its tourism flights in lieu of focusing on returning humans to the moon. It was reported in January that NASA awarded Blue Origin a $3.4 billion contract to develop a spacecraft with lunar landing capabilities as part of its Artemis II "return to the moon" program. Ironically, out of the three rocket-lunar vehicles NASA has contracted, the first two are being developed by SpaceX, while the final is manufactured by Blue Origin.[5] If the program is successful, it will be humans' first return to the moon in more than 50 years. At the same time as Artemis was announced, Blue Origin introduced its satellite communications network, TeraWave, to the world, a likely competitor to SpaceX's Starlink. TeraWave consists of more than 5,000 optically connected orbital satellites providing enterprise-grade wireless services worldwide. According to the company, the global service will reach underserved rural and low-reach areas.[6] Founded in 2000, the aerospace company has been primarily funded by Jeff Bezos, who has reportedly poured billions of dollars into the private company. As of May 2026, Bezos was weighing the potential of bringing on outside investors to Blue Origin.[7] Impulse Space, focusing on interspace transportation. While Blue Origin focuses on scale of space exploration, Redondo Beach, California-based Impulse Space represents a different type of opportunity. Founded by former SpaceX propulsion leader Tom Mueller, Impulse Space is developing in-space transportation systems designed to move satellites and payloads once they reach orbit. The company is focused on solving an important challenge in the next phase of commercial space development: efficient mobility beyond the launchpad. Most recently, the company raised a Series D round of $500 million, which put its post-money valuation at $4.26 billion. The round signals the increasing investor appetite for companies poised to power the backbone of space exploration services. According to Impulse Space, launch services have been solved, and technology-enablement now shifts to interspace transferability.[8] Impulse Space's flight products include "Mira," already operating in orbit, and "Helios," a model designed for larger payload transport, slated to be in service by 2027. According to the firm, millions of dollars in corporate contracts have already been secured.[9] Founded in 2021, Impulse Space's price-per-share is $80.96 as of its latest funding round in June 2026. Its notable investors include Founders Fund, Valor Equity Partners, 137 Ventures and Lux Capital. Investor takeaway. SpaceX's rise from startup rocket manufacturer to one of the world's most valuable corporations demonstrates how quickly disruptive businesses can reshape entire industries. For private market investors, it is natural to look at other privately held companies within industries similar to SpaceX. However, other companies are building alongside the valuable now-public firm, making up the landscape of the overall space economy. Blue Origin and Impulse Space are two such companies that may prove worthy of watching.
Impulse Space & L3Harris Technologies Inc. receive prestigious AIAA Los Angeles Section 2026 Technical Excellence Awards. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Los Angeles Section, present its Technical Excellence Awards for 2026 to Impulse Space and L3Harris. LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, May 28, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ - The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Los Angeles Section (AIAA LA Section), has presented its Technical Excellence Award for 2026 to Impulse Space and L3Harris Technologies, for their outstanding contributions to the field of aeronautics and astronautics. The award was presented at the annual AIAA LA Section Annual Awards Dinner held this year at the Cambria Hotel LAX in El Segundo, CA. Impulse Space received the award "For designing, developing, and deploying an industry-first fully autonomous Rendezvous and Proximity Operation (RPO) on the Remora Mission, in partnership with Starfish Space, utilizing a single lightweight camera and Starfish's closed-loop GNC software to successfully navigate two of Impulse's Mira spacecraft within 1,250 meters of each other in Low Earth Orbit." The award was received by Dr. Gary Li, Director of Government Business Development at Impulse Space. L3Harris Technologies Inc. was presented this year's award "For designing, manufacturing, and deploying the core stage rocket engines and key components on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion Spacecraft "Integrity" for the NASA Artemis-II Mission, setting a new record for the farthest human spaceflight." The award was received by Mr. Mike Lauer, General Manager & Program Manager, RS-25, Space Launch System, L3Harris. The AIAA Los Angeles Section presents this prestigious award annually to those individuals, businesses or academic groups for innovative technical achievement that has had a major impact in aerospace. Previous recipients of this award include: Skyryse (Skyryse One) Millennium Space Systems (VICTUS NOX) Aerojet-Rocketdyne (Artemis I) Northrop Grumman Corporation (James Webb Space Telescope) Rocket Lab USA (Neutron reusable rocket) Millennium Space Systems (Dragracer) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter and NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover) Virgin Galactic (SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo) USC Viterbi School of Engineering Rocket Propulsion Lab (Traveler IV rocket) SpaceX (Falcon Heavy) Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. 195 News do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above. You just read: May 28, 2026, 19:55 GMT EIN Presswire's priority is author transparency. 195 News do its best to weed out false and misleading content. The content above is the sole responsibility of the author who makes it available. If you have any complaints, kindly contact the author above.
SpaceX's first employee Tom Mueller raised $500M for Impulse Space at a $4.26B valuation, building space tugs for commercial and Golden Dome defence customers.