Impulse Space
Space Tech & AerospaceLong Beach, CA

Impulse Space

Building the future of in-space transportation with high-performance orbital transfer vehicles.

Company Profile

Impulse Space is a dynamic startup focused on revolutionizing in-space transportation. Founded by Tom Mueller, a co-founder of SpaceX's propulsion team, the company is developing high-performance orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs) designed to move satellites from initial deployment orbits to their final operational positions, or even to distant destinations like the Moon and Mars. Their flagship product, Mira, is an OTV capable of precise orbit raising, inclination changes, and de-orbiting services, offering unprecedented flexibility and efficiency for satellite operators. Impulse Space is building the infrastructure for the next generation of space logistics, enabling more complex missions and optimizing the deployment of satellite constellations. The engineering culture at Impulse Space is characterized by a strong emphasis on propulsion expertise, rapid development, and a lean, agile approach. Engineers are expected to be highly skilled, self-motivated, and capable of tackling challenging problems with innovative solutions. There's a culture of hands-on work, quick iteration, and direct contribution to hardware development and mission design. The environment fosters a deep technical focus, drawing on the extensive experience of its leadership in developing high-performance rocket engines. As a relatively new startup, Impulse Space is in a rapid growth phase, securing significant seed funding and attracting top talent. Their focus on a critical, underserved segment of the space market – efficient in-space logistics – positions them for substantial growth as the satellite economy expands. What makes Impulse Space unique for job seekers is the opportunity to work at a foundational startup with a proven leader in propulsion, contributing directly to the development of next-generation space vehicles. It's an environment where engineers can have a significant impact on the design, build, and test of actual flight hardware. The tech stack includes advanced propulsion modeling software, CAD tools, C++ for flight control, and Python for simulation and data analysis. Working at Impulse Space means being part of a pioneering team that is enabling more ambitious and cost-effective space missions, from Earth orbit to interplanetary destinations. It's an ideal place for propulsion experts and space systems engineers who want to be at the heart of in-space mobility.

Quick Facts

Founded

2021

Employees

100-200

Valuation

$45M funding

Work Model

On-site

Salary Ranges
Engineer
$$110K-$180K
Product Manager
$$120K-$190K
Data Analyst
$$115K-$185K
Backed By
Lux CapitalPeter ThielFounders Fund
StageSeries A
Latest Round$20M
Top Roles
Propulsion EngineerGNC EngineerSoftware EngineerMechanical EngineerTest EngineerMission Operations Engineer
Interview Process

Given its startup nature, interviews are often direct and technical, involving a recruiter screen, in-depth technical discussions with team leads, and potentially a problem-solving session. Expect questions on propulsion, orbital mechanics, and hands-on engineering experience.