Product Manager

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 Product Manager to own the product definition for our spacecraft platforms and the mission services built around them. Apex builds configurable, productized spacecraft platforms for customers who need constellations deployed quickly. This role decides what the platform is, which configurations and services customers can choose, and what goes into each block upgrade. You will work across engineering, mission integration, supply chain, manufacturing, and business development, and directly with customers, to keep the platform standard while meeting what the market needs. Responsibilities • Own the product roadmap for the spacecraft platform, including current and next-generation platforms and the block upgrades between them. • Define platform requirements, standard interfaces, and the configurations offered to customers, and protect the platform from one-off changes that add NRE or slow production. • Own the mission services offering around the platform, including integration support, software, communications, ground, and operations, and define what is included in each package. • Work with customers and Business Development to understand needs across defense, intelligence, communications, sensing, science, and commercial markets, and turn them into product requirements. • Select the customer requests that become platform changes, configurable options, or services, and help decide which missions Apex should pursue. • Partner with Mission Integration to make sure payload-side needs are met without changing the platform, and use what we learn from each mission to improve the product. • Work with engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and test to make sure product decisions can be built at production rate and cost targets. • Bring lessons from Apex testbed and flight vehicles back into the platform through block upgrades. • Support pricing and packaging with Finance and Business Development, and track price-performance against targets. • Write and maintain product specifications and customer-facing product documentation, such as datasheets and standard interface documents. • Track the competitive landscape, including other platform providers and vertically integrated constellations, and bring it into product decisions. • Define and track product success metrics, and communicate roadmap, priorities, and tradeoffs to leadership. Requirements • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field. • 8+ years of experience in product management or technical product ownership for complex hardware or hardware-software systems. • Experience taking a hardware product from requirements through production and customer delivery. • Experience in satellite manufacturing or related industries (aerospace, defense, or high-tech). • Strong technical understanding of spacecraft or other complex hardware systems, enough to work directly with engineers on tradeoffs. • Experience owning a product roadmap and making tradeoffs across cost, schedule, performance, and customer needs. • Experience working directly with customers and turning their needs into clear product requirements. • Strong communication skills, including presenting to executives and customers. • Ability to make good decisions with incomplete information in a fast-paced environment. • Willingness to travel as needed for customer meetings and site visits. • U.S. Person status, as this position needs access to export-controlled data. Preferred • Experience with configurable or productized hardware platforms, such as product lines with standard interfaces and block upgrades. • Experience with defense, intelligence, or government customers and procurement. • Experience in a production-rate manufacturing environment. • Familiarity with systems engineering, requirements management, and interface control. #LI-RC1 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.