About this opportunity
Impulsespace lists this Site Director, Propulsion Test Facility opportunity in mojave, California. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Site Director, Propulsion Test Facility
Department: Assembly, Integration & Test
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Mojave
Compensation: $220,000 - $250,000 / year
Description
As the Site Director of Impulse's Propulsion Test Facility , you will have full responsibility for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the facility. You will lead all aspects of site operations, including personnel, test execution, facility maintenance, infrastructure, safety, environmental compliance, scheduling, and continuous improvement, ensuring the facility consistently delivers high-quality test capabilities that support development, qualification, and production programs.
The Site Director serves as the senior operational leader for the facility, with accountability for protecting personnel and assets while meeting technical, schedule, and business objectives. This role requires exceptional leadership, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to balance operational priorities across multiple programs. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience with liquid propulsion systems, hazardous operations, and high-performance test facilities, along with a proven track record of building teams and establishing a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence.
Note: This position qualifies for a Mojave differential pay
Responsibilities
Provide overall leadership and operational accountability for the Propulsion Test Facility, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient execution of all site activities
Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary organization of engineers, technicians, and test operators, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning
Own all aspects of facility operations, including test execution, infrastructure, maintenance, hazardous operations, and operational readiness
Establish operational priorities and manage facility schedules, staffing, and resources to support development, qualification, and production test programs
Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Facilities, EHS, and Program Management to ensure the facility meets current program objectives while scaling to future business needs
Oversee facility maintenance, capital improvements, equipment upgrades, and long-term infrastructure planning to maximize capability, reliability, and uptime
Ensure compliance with all applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements while maintaining the highest standards of operational discipline
Lead root cause investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives to improve safety, quality, reliability, and operational efficiency
Resolve complex technical and operational challenges through sound engineering judgment, decisive leadership, and effective cross-functional collaboration
Establish and maintain high technical, operational, and professional standards across the organization
Serve as the primary decision-maker during critical facility operations and provide clear leadership during off-nominal and emergency situations
Champion a culture of safety, technical excellence, operational rigor, and ownership throughout the organization
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or a related field
10+ years of demonstrated experience in development or production test engineering
Demonstrated success building and developing high-performing engineering teams
Demonstrated understanding of fluid systems, instrumentation, data acquisition, and control systems
Proven ability to manage complex test operations safely and effectively
Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams in fast-paced development environments
Preferred Skills and Experience
Master's degree in an engineering discipline or management field
12+ years experience in rocket, propulsion, or aerospace test engineering
Demonstrated experience directing hot-fire tests for liquid rocket propulsion systems
Extensive knowledge of methane/liquid oxygen or other cryogenic propulsion systems
Familiarity with test automation, data systems, and safety management
Experience as a Site Director/Lead
Additional Information
This role is based on-site at our Mojave Test facility at the Mojave Air & Space Port
Occasional travel to partner locations may be required
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents due to export control regulations
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 equity. In 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 Space's 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.
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Worksite address
mojave, CA, 93501, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.