Spacecraft Design Engineer

Job description

Spacecraft represent the most pressing unmet need across the entire aerospace industry. As more launch vehicles come online and the cost to orbit decreases, more companies launching payloads to space continue to emerge. For the first time in history, this influx of payload companies combined with reduced launch costs has resulted in a massive increase in need for commercial spacecraft platforms, known as satellite buses. These buses hold the payloads of our customers and are flown on launch vehicles. Apex manufactures these satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware that is designed for manufacturing. Our spacecraft enable the future of society: ranging from earth observation to communications and more. We’d love for you to join us on our mission of providing humankind access to the galaxy beyond our planet.  ABOUT THE ROLE As a Spacecraft Design Engineer, you will be a foundational team member responsible for defining the future of Apex’s satellite platforms. You will operate at the design and development phase of the product lifecycle, shaping system architectures that balance performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost for mass-manufactured satellite buses that enable access to Earth orbit and beyond. You will act as a platform-level integrator and architect—translating mission needs into clear system requirements, interfaces, and design trades that downstream teams can execute with confidence. RESPONSIBILITIES System Architecture & Design - Define and evolve end-to-end satellite system architectures across multiple mission profiles - Perform system-level trade studies to optimize performance, reliability, cost, mass, and schedule - Analyze and allocate system requirements to spacecraft subsystems - Define and maintain system interfaces and interface control documents (ICDs) Requirements & Technical Ownership - Define, document, and manage platform-level requirements during early lifecycle phases - Maintain traceability between customer needs, system requirements, and subsystem designs - Identify technical risks early and develop mitigation strategies - Perform system-level analyses (margins, sensitivities, FMEA) to inform design decisions Cross-Functional Collaboration - Collaborate closely with propulsion, avionics, power, structures, thermal, software, and manufacturing teams - Translate mission concepts into executable platform designs - Support internal design reviews and customer technical discussions - Prepare designs for transition into integration, test, and qualification REQUIREMENTS - U.S. Person status (ability to access export-controlled data) - Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred) - 6+ years of experience working on complex hardware systems (spacecraft preferred) - Strong understanding of satellite subsystems and their interactions - Experience with system-level trade studies, requirements definition, and interface management - Strong analytical, communication, and documentation skills PREFERRED - Experience developing satellite platforms or spacecraft buses - Familiarity with requirements management or modeling tools (e.g., SysML, Jira, Excel) - Experience supporting early validation or risk-reduction testing - Familiarity with aerospace systems engineering best practices WHY JOIN APEX? Apex believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day. Our employees love working at Apex, and we want you to love it too. We're a fast-growing startup that has raised more than $500M in funding, and we invest heavily in our people from day one. WHAT WE OFFER FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES: - Shared upside: Receive equity in Apex, letting you benefit from the work you create - Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents, plus $100k life insurance at no cost - Comprehensive PTO package to reset and recharge - starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays - Competitive 401(k) plan with generous matching - 100% match on first 3%, 50% on next 2% - 8 weeks paid parental leave plus childcare reimbursement up to $350/day for work-related travel - Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks to keep you fueled throughout the day - Vibrant community: Monthly office socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and gatherings for you and your family - Your dream desk setup and all the tools you need to be your most productive self - World-class Playa Vista office with the benefit of in-person collaboration with amazing coworkers and flexibility to integrate work and life - Real impact opportunity: Work alongside experts from aerospace, new space, and other cutting-edge industries to make a lasting difference Ready to join a team where your contributions matter and yo