Senior Chemical Propulsion Engineer Verified today
About the Role
Apex is seeking a Senior Chemical Propulsion Engineer to join our team and develop chemical propulsion systems for our spacecraft bus platforms. You will approach this from clean-sheet design, guiding propulsion system architecture, integration, and testing. As the first chemical propulsion engineer at Apex, you will build our chemical propulsion capabilities, team, and infrastructure from the ground up.
Responsibilities
- Design, build, and test chemical propulsion systems
- Design and build propulsion infrastructure and test facilities
- Design propulsion system architecture, develop product specifications, and maintain Technical Performance Metrics (TPMs)
- Develop qualification and acceptance test plans and support testing
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate propulsion systems with other subsystems (electrical, thermal, structure)
- Troubleshoot anomalies during manufacturing, lead investigation efforts, and ensure design for manufacturability (DFM) approaches
- Interface with customer and supplier relationships, conduct analyses, and provide support as necessary
- Contribute to proposals and business development efforts
Requirements
- U.S. Person status required (access to export controlled data)
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, propulsion, or aerospace-related engineering discipline
- 8+ years of propulsion design and test experience
- Experience with mono and bi-propellant chemical propulsion systems
- Experience handling and testing pressurized systems
- Demonstrated history of designing fluidic systems, fluid system instrumentation, and control components (tanks, regulators, pressure transducers, thermocouples, solenoid valves)
- Experience with CAD software (NX, SolidWorks)
- Working knowledge of manufacturing in clean environment and AS9100 protocols
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's or Ph.D in mechanical, propulsion, or aerospace-related engineering discipline
- Experience operating leak, burst, proof test facilities
- Experience leading hot-fire test campaigns (power and fluid delivery systems for ground test, data acquisition systems, thrust stands, plume diagnostics)
- Experience with chemical propulsion operations in space
What We Offer
- Equity in Apex
- 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and dependents, plus $100k life insurance
- Starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays
- Competitive 401(k) plan: 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
- Tools and equipment for productivity
- Playa Vista office with in-person collaboration and work-life flexibility