Propulsion Engineer, Structures (Mid) Verified today

Apex Spacecraft · Los Angeles, CA · Propulsion · first seen 2026-09-29

About the Role

Apex is seeking a Propulsion Engineer with structures and hardware integration experience to design propulsion modules for commercial spacecraft. You will own mechanical designs across the module, including structure, mounting, installation of flow controllers, PPUs and thrusters, and packaging that transforms components into flight-ready assemblies.

The propulsion components you integrate are designed and built in-house at Apex. You'll work directly with the teams owning thrusters, cathodes, flow controllers, and PPUs, helping shape mechanical, thermal, and interface design so components and module are optimized together from the start.

You'll work closely with manufacturing throughout the design cycle, supporting first builds and incorporating feedback from the production floor as you scale. This role offers significant hands-on design ownership and the opportunity to take hardware from concept through build, test, and production.

Responsibilities

Own mechanical designs for propulsion modules, including module structures, mounting interfaces, and installation of flow controllers, PPUs, thrusters, and other propulsion hardware
Design module structures to meet vehicle-level structural and environmental requirements, including launch loads, vibration, shock, and thermal environments, while conforming to vehicle ICDs
Define mechanical, thermal, and structural interfaces between propulsion components and the module, and between the module and spacecraft
Partner with in-house thruster, cathode, flow controller, and PPU teams to optimize component mounting, packaging, and interfaces
Perform structural analysis, including hand calculations and FEA, to verify strength, stiffness, and margins
Design against mass, cost, and power budgets and support engineering trades across competing requirements
Design for manufacturing and assembly to ensure modules are buildable, repeatable, and installable at rate
Work directly with manufacturing and production teams during first builds and resolve design and integration issues on the floor
Incorporate manufacturing feedback into design iterations to improve producibility, yield, and build time
Create and own component and assembly drawings, tolerance stack-ups, fastening and torque specifications, and installation work instructions
Support build, integration, and test of flight hardware and contribute to anomaly resolution and root-cause investigations
Contribute to continuous design improvements across module generations as production scales

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or a related engineering field
3+ years of relevant mechanical or aerospace engineering experience, with experience in structural design and hardware installation/integration
Strong understanding of structural design and analysis, including load paths, strength and stiffness, fasteners and joints, tolerance stack-ups, hand calculations, and FEA
Experience designing aerospace or other complex hardware to structural and environmental requirements, including vibration, shock, and thermal environments
Experience integrating discrete components, such as propulsion, avionics, fluidic, or other hardware, into structural assemblies
Proficiency with CAD, engineering drawings, and GD&T, with experience taking designs through release, build, and test
Experience working with manufacturing or production teams to transition designs into hardware and resolve build and integration issues
Ability to make sound engineering trades across performance, mass, cost, manufacturability, and schedule
Ability to communicate clearly and work cross-functionally across engineering, manufacturing, and production teams
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

Direct experience with spacecraft propulsion modules, feed systems, or propulsion component integration
Experience designing spacecraft or aerospace hardware for serial or high-rate production, including design-for-manufacturing and design-for-assembly
Familiarity with electric propulsion components, including thrusters, flow controllers, PPUs, and their mechanical, thermal, fluidic, and electrical interfaces
Experience with propellant feed-system routing, fluidic components, and cleanliness/contamination control
Experience collaborating with component design teams to optimize hardware and system-level integration
Experience supporting environmental qualification testing, including vibration, shock, and TVAC
Experience supporting flight hardware through integration, qualification, launch, and/or on-orbit operations

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
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
Complete desk setup and tools for productivity
Office located in Playa Vista with in-person collaboration and work-life flexibility

ITAR Requirements

Apex's work is governed by U.S. export control laws, including ITAR and EAR. To be eligible, applicants must either (1) qualify as a U.S. Person, meaning a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), a refugee admitted under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or an individual granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or (2) 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.