Q&A with VP of Avionics, Carl Haken: What It's Like to Work at Impulse

At Impulse, we believe that innovation thrives in a collaborative and dynamic environment. Our commitment to building exceptional vehicles for extended operations in all orbits beyond Earth requires a dedicated and passionate team. To provide a glimpse into what makes working at Impulse so unique, we sat down with Carl Haken, our VP of Avionics.

Carl Haken, VP of Avionics

Carl, can you tell us a bit about your role and journey to Impulse?
Absolutely. My journey began as an electronics designer at SpaceX, where I worked on new circuit boards for several years before joining Impulse. Here, I initially focused on custom solenoid valves and other avionics and propulsion crossover devices. As Impulse evolved from being a propulsion-centric company to an organization building turn-key spacecraft and high-energy kick stages, I recruited our original avionics and software teams. Now, I oversee avionics, RF, and power systems. We are committed to building exceptional turn-key vehicles for extended operations in all orbits beyond Earth.

What does your team do, and what makes it unique?
Our team is responsible for all avionics devices within our satellites and vehicles, including radios, star trackers, reaction wheels, power systems, and flight computers. What sets us apart is our highly integrated approach to design. We develop these systems collaboratively, ensuring each component works seamlessly within the larger system. This reduces physical and procedural overhead, such as harnesses and interconnects, making our satellites more efficient and reliable.

How do you foster collaboration between different teams at Impulse?
Collaboration is key to our success. For instance, the avionics and software teams sit close to each other, allowing for constant communication and collaboration. This proximity helps us avoid the friction that often comes with isolated development. Each piece of hardware is designed with input from the software team and vice versa, ensuring we create cohesive and efficient systems. This close-knit environment is mirrored across all departments, including structures and propulsion.

Can you explain the philosophy of a "Responsible Engineer" at Impulse?
At Impulse, every product has a Responsible Engineer (RE), who is the ultimate owner of that product's success. This person is responsible for coordinating work, understanding requirements, and integrating feedback from various teams. This high ownership mentality not only produces excellent hardware results but also develops highly capable engineers. The RE concept extends to larger systems, ensuring continuous ownership and accountability.

What are some standout projects your team has worked on?
One notable project is our star tracker development. On our first vehicle, we flew both an expensive, purchased star tracker and one we developed internally in a few months. Both worked in orbit, and we have since iterated on our design to improve performance. Another example is our reaction wheel, which we developed, fabricated, assembled, and tested in about two and a half months. These projects demonstrate our ability to meet mission needs quickly and efficiently, continuously improving our designs.

Impulse Avionics team

What culture do you promote within your team and the wider company?
We strive to create a collaborative and efficient work environment. While we work hard, we do not subscribe to a burnout culture. Our team typically works slightly more than 40 hours a week, with occasional pushes for deadlines. We focus on efficiency and smart problem-solving rather than sheer hours worked. This approach not only makes us more effective but also ensures a healthy work-life balance for our team members.

Is Impulse currently hiring, and if so, what qualities are you looking for in new team members?
Yes, we are scaling up significantly. We look for two types of candidates: those with experience in developing specialized systems and those who are eager to learn and tackle new challenges. We value a mix of experienced professionals and fresh graduates, fostering an environment where knowledge is shared and new ideas are encouraged. This diversity of experience and perspective helps us innovate, improve continuously, and grow our vertically integrated approach.

Any final thoughts or highlights about working at Impulse?
Working at Impulse is incredibly rewarding for those passionate about space and technology. Our unique approach to design and development allows team members to take significant ownership of their projects and see their work fly in space. It's a dynamic and supportive environment where innovation thrives, and the potential for career growth is substantial.

For a list of open positions, please see impulsespace.com/careers