Propulsion Test Technician 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 Space is seeking a Propulsion Test Technician to support hands-on testing of spacecraft propulsion hardware, including thrusters, flow controllers, and power processing units (PPUs). You’ll be responsible for setting up, executing, and tearing down tests, operating test stands and vacuum chambers, maintaining test equipment, and working closely with engineers to keep propulsion testing safe, reliable, and moving at production rate. Responsibilities: • Set up, execute, and tear down propulsion tests on thrusters, flow controllers, PPUs, and related propulsion hardware. • Operate propulsion test stands, vacuum chambers, pumping systems, instrumentation, and data acquisition equipment. • Install and remove test articles, including fluid connections, electrical interfaces, sensors, instrumentation, and associated GSE. • Perform pre-test checkouts to verify hardware configuration, instrumentation, and test setup are correct and safe to operate. • Execute test procedures and monitor hardware, instrumentation, and facility systems throughout testing. • Perform routine and preventive maintenance on test stands, vacuum chambers, pumps, instrumentation, and GSE. • Troubleshoot test equipment and hardware issues alongside test and propulsion engineers to minimize downtime. • Monitor equipment health and identify potential failures or maintenance needs before they impact testing. • Maintain test cells, tooling, equipment, and consumables to ensure systems are organized, calibrated, and ready to run. • Maintain accurate test logs, as-run documentation, configuration records, and equipment maintenance history. • Provide feedback to engineering on test procedures, tooling, equipment, and processes to improve safety, reliability, and efficiency. • Follow safety requirements for vacuum systems, pressurized systems, high-voltage hardware, and other hazardous operations. • Support qualification and acceptance testing at production rate as Apex scales spacecraft manufacturing. Requirements: • High school diploma or equivalent. • 3+ years of hands-on experience in a test, lab, manufacturing, maintenance, or similar technical environment. • Hands-on experience using hand tools, power tools, torque tools, fasteners, tubing and fittings, and electrical cabling. • Ability to read and follow technical procedures, engineering drawings, schematics, and work instructions. • Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot hardware and equipment issues. • Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate test and maintenance documentation. • Safety-first mindset and ability to work around pressurized systems, high voltage, vacuum equipment, and other hazardous operations. • Ability to work effectively with engineers and technicians in a fast-paced, hands-on environment. • 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 Haves: • Technical or vocational training, military technical experience, or an associate degree in a relevant field. • Experience operating vacuum chambers, vacu