Lead Propulsion Integration Engineer Verified today

About Apex

Apex manufactures satellite buses at scale for commercial spacecraft platforms. These buses hold customer payloads and fly on launch vehicles, enabling earth observation, communications, and other applications.

The Role

You will lead the propulsion module integration team and own propulsion modules that fly on Apex spacecraft, from initial vehicle requirements through design, integration, servicing, and launch. You'll translate spacecraft and mission requirements into complete, flight-ready propulsion modules and set the architecture and engineering standards for the subsystem as Apex scales production.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the propulsion module integration team, setting high standards for technical rigor, ownership, and execution.
• Own propulsion module architecture across Apex 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 and 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 to enable efficient production at scale.
• 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.
• Communicate technical status, risks, trades, and plans to engineering and company leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, propulsion engineering, or related technical field.
• 10 or more years of experience in spacecraft propulsion, mechanical or 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 fill and drain operations, procedures, and ground support equipment.
• Working knowledge of range safety requirements for hazardous spacecraft operations.
• Proven experience taking flight propulsion hardware from design through build, integration, test, and launch.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills and ability to represent propulsion in vehicle-level technical and program decisions.
• 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 degree in mechanical, aerospace, propulsion engineering, or related field.
• Experience with both chemical and electric propulsion systems and propellant servicing, including xenon or krypton loading.
• Experience transitioning propulsion modules or feed systems into serial or high-rate production.
• Experience authoring hazardous operations procedures and supporting range approval processes.
• Familiarity with propellant compatibility, cleanliness, and contamination control requirements.
• Experience owning subsystem schedule, budget, and technical risk.

What We Offer (Full-Time Employees)

• Equity in Apex.
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and dependents, plus $100k life insurance at no cost.
• Comprehensive PTO: 15 days vacation starting, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays.
• Competitive 401(k) plan with 100% match on first 3% and 50% match on next 2%.
• 8 weeks paid parental leave plus childcare reimbursement up to $350 per day for work-related travel.
• Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks.
• Monthly office socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and family gatherings.
• Professional desk setup and tools.
• Playa Vista office with in-person collaboration and flexibility to integrate work and life.