Senior Electric Propulsion Engineer, Cathodes

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 Apex is seeking a Senior Electric Propulsion Engineer with deep expertise in cathodes to own the design, development, qualification, and production of cathode technology for our electric propulsion systems. Building on Apex's in-house Hall-effect thruster capability, you will drive hollow and heaterless cathode development, from emitter physics and thermal-mechanical design through cathode-thruster coupling, life characterization, and design-for-manufacturing at rate. This is a senior individual-contributor role with significant technical ownership and leadership scope. You will drive key cathode design decisions, lead test and life-qualification campaigns, and work alongside propulsion engineers as we scale EP production. You'll have the opportunity to approach cathode development with a clean-sheet, production-first mindset and directly shape the hardware, processes, and infrastructure required to take it from development into flight and serial production. Responsibilities: - Own the end-to-end design and development of hollow and/or heaterless cathodes for Apex's electric propulsion systems, including emitter selection, keeper and orifice geometry, heater design, and thermal-mechanical packaging. - Develop physics-based and empirical models to predict cathode performance, discharge behavior, thermal margins, and life, and validate them against test data. - Define and execute cathode test and life-qualification campaigns, including ignition and conditioning, coupling voltage characterization, thermal cycling, plume/plasma diagnostics, wear testing, and long-duration life testing in vacuum facilities. - Drive cathode-thruster integration, optimizing cathode-to-anode coupling, mass flow split, and placement for overall EP system performance and stability. - Develop cathode erosion, poisoning, and degradation models and perform filtration and contamination-control analysis to demonstrate compliance with propulsion budgets for life, power, thermal, leak, and contamination. - Select emitter and structural materials and processes, including LaB6, BaO-impregnated tungsten, and refractory metals, and qualify them for spaceflight and scalable production. - Optimize cathode designs for performance, weight, cost, manufacturability, and repeatability, and develop the work instructions, process flows, and AI&T procedures required to build them at rate. - Partner with systems, power electronics, thermal, structures, and avionics teams to define interfaces, including cathode heater/keeper drive and PPU interaction, and verify requirements. - Support the build, integration, and test of flight hardware, as well as launch campaigns, on-orbit performance evaluation, and anomaly resolution. - Lead and contribute to failure analysis, root-cause investigations, and continuous design improvements to support future builds and scalable production. - Provide technical mentorship to propulsion engineers and contribute to the continued development of Apex's cathode and electric propulsion capability. Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, plasma/propulsion engineering, applied physics, or a related field. - 6+ years of relevant electric propulsion experience with a Bachelor's or Master's degree, OR a Ph.D. in electric propulsion, plasma physics, applied physics, or a closely related field with 3+ years of relevant industry experience, with substantial and demonstrable focus on cathode design, development, and testing. - Deep, hands-on knowledge of hollow and/or heaterless cathode physics, including thermionic emission, emitter materials, plasma discharge behavior, keeper/orifice design, and cathode coupling to Hall or ion thrusters. - Experience planning and executing cathode or EP test campaigns in vacuum facilities, including plasma diagnostics, performance measurement, and life/wear testing. - Strong understanding of the failure and degradation mechanisms that drive cathode life, including emitter depletion, erosion, poisoning, and contamination, and how to design and test against them. - Working knowledge of spacecraft propulsion system architecture, propellant feed systems, and PPU interaction. - Experience owning hardware through design, development, build, and test. - Ability to decompose requirements and ICDs and communicate clearly across engineering disciplines. - Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual) as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15). Nice to Have: - Direct experience taking a cathode or EP thruster from development through flight qualification and on-orbit operation. - Experience with heaterless cathode ignition and conditioning schemes. - Experience with alternative propellants, including krypton and other non-xenon EP propellants, and their effects on cathode life and operation. - Familiarity with PPU/cathode drive electronics and power interface definition. - Design-for-manufacturing experience bringing propulsion hardware into serial or high-rate production. - Experience with EP environmental qualification, including vibration, TVAC, and EMI testing of flight propulsion hardware. - Experience supporting failure investigations and resolving issues on flight or qualification hardware. #LI-MO1 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: Starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays - Competitive 401(k) plan: 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: 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 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Compensation ranges are set by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. A candidate's specific level and base pay are determined case by case and may vary with job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities, and internal equity. Beyond base salary, full-time hires are also eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options, along with medical, dental, and vision coverage and a 401(k) retirement plan. ITAR REQUIREMENTS Apex's work is governed by U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). To be eligible for this role, applicants must either (1) qualify as a U.S. Person, meaning a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), a refugee admitted under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or an individual granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or (2) be able to obtain the required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce, or another applicable U.S. government agency. You can learn more about ITAR here https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Apex Technology, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, 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.