About this role
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. 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.