Impulse Space

National Security R&D Growth Manager

2651 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

On-site · Full-time · $130k–$160k (as posted)

First seen by offpeak October 20, 2026

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As the National Security R&D Growth Manager at Impulse, you will help lead our growth initiatives across the national security research and development community to include DARPA, AFRL, NRL, OSD/R&E, NRO/AS&T, and other elements of DoD and IC R&D community. This individual will be a key member of the Business Development team, responsible for identifying new opportunities, shaping customer requirements, and advancing Impulse’s role in enabling responsive and resilient space capabilities. You will engage deeply with government stakeholders and key decision-makers in the national security R&D ecosystem. These relationships will help identify and shape emerging customer needs in Impulse’s wheelhouse and inform our investment and product roadmap. You will craft and maintain R&D elements of Impulse’s five-year pipeline. These elements will form the “seed corn” for future Impulse programs of record, add fuel to our internal R&D investments, and accelerate development of future Impulse products.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute business development strategies for national security R&D markets
Identify and qualify new opportunities for DoD and IC R&D customers
Seed, shape, and influence emerging customer requirements through early engagement and thought leadership
Collaborate with internal engineering and mission teams to craft compelling solutions to and white papers
Lead capture efforts, proposal strategy, teaming discussions, and stakeholder outreach
Represent Impulse Space at key industry days, technical forums, and classified engagements
Maintain situational awareness of acquisition pathways (e.g., OTAs, MTA, SBIR/STTR, IDIQ) and upcoming solicitations
Work closely with executive leadership to align defense pursuits with long-term strategic objective

Minimum Qualifications

5+ years of experience in business development, capture, or program management in the national security space domain
Demonstrated experience with the U.S. Department of Defense and/or Intelligence Community R&D customers
Strong communication and relationship-building skills with both technical and executive stakeholders
Bachelors (or equivalent) or higher degree in engineering, science, or defense technology
Active TS/SCI clearance or eligibility to obtain one
Ability to travel as needed (up to 50%

Preferred Skills and Experience

8+ years of demonstrated in experience working directly with national security, as pertains to spacecraft, satellites launch vehicles, or similar
Experience with early-stage or high-growth aerospace companies
Demonstrated track record of shaping and winning R&D programs or advanced concept studies

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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