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Electro-Optical Engineer Verified today

Apex Spacecraft · Los Angeles, CA · Payload · first seen 2026-09-04
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About the Role

Apex is looking for an Electro-Optical Engineer to own sensor products across the full development lifecycle, from clean-sheet concept to qualified, production-ready hardware. This role sits at the intersection of design, analysis, test, and production, acting as the technical authority that carries a sensor from architecture through qualification and into the field. You will own how sensors perform in the real world, driving trade studies that balance performance, cost, and risk, leading verification and qualification campaigns, and closing the loop through failure investigations that sharpen every future design.

System Ownership

  • Own sensor products through the full development lifecycle, including conceptualization, architecture, design, analysis, prototyping, qualification, and production
  • Support production as the hardware Responsible Engineering Authority (REA), providing technical solutions, guidance, and documentation when issues arise
  • Manage project budget, schedule, and tasking within a multidisciplinary team of engineers

Test Engineering

  • Own verification and validation activities for sensor subsystem requirements
  • Develop and execute qualification and test campaigns, including creation of test plans, procedures, and reports
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and maintain test stations and ground support equipment (GSE/STE)
  • Perform failure investigations and root cause analyses, incorporating lessons learned into future designs and test approaches

Technical Development

  • Perform system- and component-level trade studies to evaluate architectures and designs to optimize performance, cost, schedule, and technical risk
  • Collaborate with teams across structures, thermal, optics, avionics, software, GNC, manufacturing, mission assurance, and supply chain to develop integrated sensor solutions
  • Present technical work at design reviews and create clear, thorough engineering documentation

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related discipline
  • Hands-on experience developing, prototyping, integrating, and/or testing multidisciplinary systems
  • Demonstrated hardware, project, or product ownership experience
  • Strong understanding of test engineering fundamentals and methodologies
  • Demonstrated leadership, time management, and organizational skills
  • Comfortable researching and creating clean-sheet subsystem architectures and designs within an open design space
  • Self-motivated and eager to learn in a fast-paced, collaborative engineering environment

Preferred Qualifications

  • 1-2 years of experience in aerospace, automotive, or other technical product development/test
  • Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related discipline
  • Experience developing, designing, implementing, and/or testing sensor systems
  • Familiarity with Design for Manufacturing (DFM/DFMA) principles
  • Familiarity with satellite systems and space environments
  • Familiarity with all stages of the hardware product lifecycle
  • Familiarity with project management tools and techniques

What We Offer

  • Equity in Apex, letting you benefit from the work you create
  • 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents, plus $100k life insurance at no cost
  • Starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays
  • Generous 401(k) 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
  • Monthly office socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and family gatherings
  • World-class Playa Vista office with flexibility to integrate work and life

ITAR Requirements

To be eligible for this role, applicants must either qualify as a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or individual granted asylum) or be able to obtain required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Commerce, or another applicable U.S. government agency.