Impulse Space
Orbital maneuvering vehicles for payload delivery
Manager – Spacecraft Actuators
About the job
- A bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or a related field.
- Past results and execution developing, testing, and flying multiple mechanisms or actuators in space as a technical individual contributor.
- Strong technical knowledge in one or more actuator components.
- Professional experience managing and growing a team.
- Own all aspects of spacecraft actuator design, analysis, implementation, operation, sustainment, and improvement.
- Lead a team of responsible engineers working on actuators spanning multiple spacecraft and functions, including high-speed rotary devices, EMA throttle valves, fluid pumps, and precision thrust vector control actuators.
- Determine the actuator product roadmap by working closely with partner teams, leadership, and business development.
- Architect and implement engineering processes to streamline actuator development, testing, and sustainment through production ramp.
- Create and execute test campaigns.
- Work with engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams to deliver reliable, high-performing components to flight vehicles.
- Provide direct technical ownership and individual-contributor work for an actuator.
About the company
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
$1.4B
Headquarters
El Segundo, California
Founded
2021
Get referred to Impulse Space
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- September 16, 2026 funding added $308 million, lifting Series D to $808 million.
- Space Systems Command extended Mira work to $62.8 million through March 2030.
- Impulse booked Helios Caravan 2 and Caravan 3 for 2028 and more dedicated flights.
What critics are saying
- SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and Firefly already bundle launch with mobility, squeezing Impulse margins.
- Helios and Caravan 2 orders concentrate revenue around 2028 delivery milestones.
- A missed Helios flight could freeze NSSL and civil confidence, crippling future sales.
What makes Impulse Space unique
- Tom Mueller’s SpaceX propulsion pedigree and three flown Mira missions create rare flight heritage.
- Impulse vertically built Electra in six months, proving fast in-house propulsion iteration.
- Helios makes Impulse the first upper-stage prime in Space Force NSSL Lane 1.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
Hybrid Work Options
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 0%1 year growth
↓ -2%2 year growth
↑ 0%Impulse Space's Series D round grows to $808 million as backlog expands. 16 Sep 2026 11:07PM (Updated: 17 Sep 2026 12:48AM) Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. (Corrects valuation in bullet 1 and paragraph 2) By Akash Sriram Sept 16: Impulse Space has raised $308 million in an extension of the Series D funding round, the startup building spacecraft to move satellites and other payloads said on Wednesday, as it looks to serve a backlog from commercial and government customers. The extension valued the company at $5.4 billion, according to a source close to the company. SpaceX's $86 billion IPO in June has bolstered investor enthusiasm for the space sector, helping improve the fundraising environment for companies such as Impulse. The extension brings Impulse's Series D financing to $808 million, following a $500 million round announced in June that valued the company at $4.26 billion. The company also hired Vizio executive Adam Townsend as chief financial officer, as it scales production and works to turn a growing backlog of government and commercial contracts into revenue. Investor demand for the round remained strong after it closed, President and Chief Operating Officer Eric Romo exclusively told Reuters, allowing Impulse to raise more capital to expand ahead of customer demand. Impulse, founded by SpaceX's first employee and its former propulsion chief, Tom Mueller, will use the new capital chiefly to accelerate hiring and manufacturing. It now has more than 600 employees and over 180 open roles. "We looked at the plan and said, well, gosh, if we raise a little bit more, it'll give us confidence that even if a pessimistic scenario happens in the future, we can hire and be a little bit ahead of the plans from customers," Romo said. Impulse has sold out its Caravan 2 and Caravan 3 Helios rideshare missions planned for 2028 and has booked additional dedicated flights, Romo said. "The market, I think, has surprised us, if anything, to the upside as far as the reception of that product," he said. "We're really full on our manifest for Helios. So now we need to deliver on that for those customers."
Impulse Space has raised $308 million in a Series D extension, bringing the total round to $808 million. The California-based in-space mobility company received backing from existing investors including 137 Ventures, Lux Capital, and Valor Equity Partners. The funding will support product development and team expansion as Impulse builds vehicles for post-launch mobility across commercial, civil, and government sectors. The company has more than doubled its headcount over the past year. Impulse recently secured significant government contracts, including selection for the US Space Force's NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 programme and a $28 million contract extension from Space Systems Command. The company manufactures spacecraft including Mira for precision manoeuvring and Helios, a high-energy kick stage. Impulse has appointed Adam Townsend, formerly CFO of VIZIO, as its first chief financial officer.
Impulse Space announces $308 million Series D extension to meet increasing demand for in-space mobility. Additional investment continues a period of significant growth across customer contracts, vehicle development, physical footprint, and talent for the company. September 16, 2026 11:00 ET | Source: Impulse Space REDONDO BEACH, Calif., Sept. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Impulse Space, the in-space mobility leader, today announced a $308 million extension to its Series D round, bringing the combined round total to $808 million. The extension included participation from existing investors 137 Ventures, BANNER VC, DFJ Growth, Linse Capital, Lux Capital, and Valor Equity Partners, among others, reflecting continued confidence in the company and its long-term vision. The additional capital will support ongoing product development and team growth as Impulse expands its capabilities to serve commercial, civil, and government customers. Across the space economy, demand for post-launch mobility is accelerating, requiring vehicles that can make fast, precise, agile, and responsive movements throughout space. "This continued support from our investors strengthens our ability to build the systems that will unlock the space economy," said Eric Romo, President and COO of Impulse Space. "Over the past year, we've more than doubled our headcount and expanded our footprint across the country, building the team and capabilities needed to enable faster, more flexible movement in space for our customers." Recent government awards demonstrate the growing momentum for Impulse's capabilities. The company's Helios spacecraft was selected for the U.S. Space Force's National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 contract, becoming the first upper stage prime awarded a position in the program. Impulse also received a $28 million contract extension from Space Systems Command's Space Safari Office to support the VICTUS SALO 2 and VICTUS SALO 3 missions, building on existing awards for the Mira spacecraft. Impulse is building a full spectrum of in-space mobility to get operators where they want to go after launch, on demand. Products today include Mira, for flight-proven precision maneuvering; Helios, a high-energy kick stage; and Caravan, a rideshare program. Building on a vision of end-to-end mobility in space, Impulse recently unveiled the Electra system for electric propulsion, complementing the company's existing suite of chemical propulsion engines and further expanding vehicle capabilities. Together, these systems and spacecraft provide more flexibility for dynamic missions across orbits in a reliable and cost-effective way. "We're building a team of top talent across disciplines to deliver on very strong industry demand. This funding supports our ongoing growth across people, products, and facilities," said Tom Mueller, founder and CEO of Impulse Space. "It's an exciting time to be in the business of space, and we're proud to be defining the infrastructure that powers our future beyond Earth." The company also appointed its first Chief Financial Officer to shepherd its growing capital base and expanding business. Adam Townsend joined Impulse from VIZIO, where as CFO and Head of HR Operations he led the company through rapid growth and business transformation, including the company's IPO and eventual sale to Walmart. He previously held senior executive roles in finance at CBS Corp., Showtime Networks, and E*TRADE Financial. As Impulse continues to deliver innovative products to address clear market demand, the company is hiring engineers and operators to build, test, and fly the systems making a true space age possible. For more information, visit www.impulsespace.com/careers About Impulse Space Impulse Space, the in-space mobility leader, is accelerating our future beyond Earth beginning with its fleet of cost-effective, high-performance space vehicles: Helios and Mira. The Helios kick stage unlocks high-energy orbits with its powerful Deneb engine, rapidly transporting payloads from LEO to MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits. The flight-proven Mira enables precise maneuverability and rapid responsiveness for hosting, deployment, and rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) across any orbit. Founded by Tom Mueller and led by a team of industry titans, Impulse Space is transforming in-space mobility by reliably and rapidly getting customers where they want to go. And they're just getting started. For more information, visit www.impulsespace.com.
Impulse Space's Series D round grows to $808 million as backlog expands By Akash Sriram
Space-Tug maker Impulse's fundraising round tops $800 million. September 16, 2026 at 5:36 PM GMT+2 Takeaways by bloomberg aisubscribe. Impulse Space Inc., a startup working on in-space transportation technology, announced that it has raised an additional $308 million in its latest funding round, taking the total amount raised in this most recent series to $808 million. The new funds will go toward expanding Impulse's team and help with continued development of the firm's spacecraft products. The latest rounded included participation from Impulse's existing investors, including 137 Ventures, Lux Capital, Valor Equity Partners and others.