Lead Electric Propulsion Engineer Verified today

About the Role

Apex is seeking a Lead Electric Propulsion Engineer to build and lead the team responsible for Apex's electric propulsion subsystem end to end, including Hall-effect thrusters, cathodes, flow controllers, and power processing units (PPUs). You will own the technical direction, development, qualification, and production readiness of the EP subsystem across Apex spacecraft.

This is a hands-on technical and people leadership role. You will lead a team of propulsion engineers and technical specialists, set the EP roadmap, drive cross-component trades, and ensure the subsystem meets performance, reliability, schedule, cost, and production requirements. You will also serve as the primary propulsion interface across systems engineering, production, avionics, power, thermal, supply chain, quality, and program management.

This is an opportunity to shape and scale a complete electric propulsion capability inside a company building spacecraft for serial production.

Responsibilities

• Lead, grow, and develop Apex's electric propulsion team, including engineers specializing in thrusters, cathodes, flow control, and PPUs.
• Own the EP subsystem roadmap across Hall-effect thrusters, cathodes, flow controllers, and PPUs, aligning development with spacecraft platform and production needs.
• Own EP subsystem performance, reliability, schedule, cost, and delivery of flight hardware at rate.
• Drive cross-component technical trades across thruster, cathode, flow control, and PPU architecture, including operating points, interfaces, margins, and requirements.
• Set technical standards for EP design, analysis, test, qualification, requirements, ICDs, and verification.
• Drive design for manufacturability and testability so propulsion hardware can be built consistently and efficiently at production scale.
• Partner closely with systems, avionics, power, thermal, structures, production, supply chain, quality, and program teams to resolve subsystem-level challenges.
• Own EP test and qualification strategy, including vacuum facilities, diagnostics, life testing, and plans to scale test capacity.
• Lead vendor strategy and build-vs-buy decisions for EP hardware and critical components.
• Support launch campaigns, on-orbit performance evaluation, anomaly resolution, and root-cause investigations.
• Communicate technical status, risks, tradeoffs, and development plans to engineering and company leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, plasma/propulsion engineering, applied physics, or a related field.
• 10+ years of propulsion engineering experience with significant depth in electric propulsion.
• Strong technical experience with electric propulsion systems, including Hall-effect thrusters and the interfaces between thrusters, cathodes, flow control, and PPUs.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineers and complex technical development, whether through people management, technical leadership, or both.
• Proven track record developing and delivering flight propulsion hardware through design, qualification, production, and on-orbit operation.
• Strong understanding of EP subsystem architecture, requirements, interfaces, verification, and qualification.
• Experience balancing technical decisions with schedule, cost, reliability, and production requirements.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills with the ability to represent propulsion across engineering, production, programs, and company leadership.
• 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

• Master's or Ph.D. focused on electric propulsion, plasma physics, or a related field.
• Experience building or scaling an electric propulsion team, capability, or test infrastructure.
• Experience transitioning propulsion hardware from development into serial or high-rate production.
• Experience with EP systems supporting both LEO and GEO mission profiles, including orbit raising, stationkeeping, and deorbit.
• Experience with krypton or other non-xenon electric propulsion propellants.
• Experience owning subsystem-level schedule, budget, and technical risk.
• Familiarity with applicable range safety requirements, including SSCMAN 91-710.

What We Offer

• Equity in Apex
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents, plus $100k life insurance at no cost
• 15 days vacation growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) plan with 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
• Equipment and tools to support your productivity
• In-person collaboration at Playa Vista office with schedule flexibility