Lead Propulsion Integration Engineer at Apex in Los Angeles, CA

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 Lead Propulsion Integration Engineer to own the propulsion modules that fly on our spacecraft, from initial vehicle requirements through design, integration, servicing, and launch. You will lead the engineers responsible for turning spacecraft and mission requirements into complete, flight-ready propulsion modules. That includes tank selection and sizing, module structure and mounting, feed-system architecture and routing, electrical and fluid interfaces, and ensuring the final design meets mass, cost, power, structural, and vehicle-level requirements. This is a hands-on technical leadership role. You'll set the architecture and engineering standards for propulsion module integration, develop the team, and stay close to the hardware as we scale production. Your team will also own spacecraft propellant servicing, including fill and drain operations, ground support equipment, procedures, and range compliance. Responsibilities: • Lead and develop the propulsion module integration team, setting a high bar for technical rigor, ownership, and execution. • Own propulsion module architecture across Apex's spacecraft platforms, including tank selection, module structure, mounting, feed-system routing, and vehicle interfaces. • Translate vehicle and mission requirements into complete propulsion module designs, including propellant and delta-v budgets. • Deliver flight-ready modules within allocated mass, cost, and power while meeting vehicle requirements and ICDs. • Ensure module structures and interfaces meet structural, environmental, and verification requirements. • Own spacecraft propellant servicing, including fill/drain operations, procedures, ground support equipment, and safe execution. • Ensure hazardous servicing operations meet applicable range requirements, including SSCMAN 91-710, and maintain required safety documentation and approvals. • Drive design for manufacturing, integration, test, and serviceability so propulsion modules can be built and processed efficiently at production rate. • Partner closely with systems, structures, thermal, avionics, power, propulsion component teams, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program management. • Support vehicle integration, test, launch campaigns, and anomaly resolution, including leading root-cause investigations when issues arise. • Communicate technical status, risks, trades, and plans to engineering and company leadership. Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, propulsion engineering, or a related technical field. • 10+ years of experience in spacecraft propulsion, mechanical/fluid systems, propulsion integration, or related hardware development. • Experience leading engineers as a technical lead, people manager, or both. • Strong experience with propulsion module and feed-system design, including tank sizing and selection, structural integration, fluid routing, and component selection. • Experience owning hardware against vehicle-level requirements, ICDs, and mass, cost, and power budgets. • Hands-on experience with spacecraft propellant servicing, including f