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Senior Mission Integration Engineer - SV Design Verified today

Apex Spacecraft · Los Angeles, CA · Production · first seen 2026-10-10
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About the Role

Apex is seeking a Senior Mission Integration Engineer specializing in Space Vehicle Design to join our expanding team. The Mission Integration team turns the foundational spacecraft platform into the backbone of customer missions. This is an end-to-end role as the primary liaison between customers and technical teams, developing mission concepts, performing technical analysis, resolving interfaces, and executing space vehicle integration and test.

Responsibilities

  • Define end-to-end mission architecture, including spacecraft, launch vehicle, ground systems, and operations per customer requirements.
  • Lead technical inputs to proposals for future missions by defining technical approaches, feasibility studies, and cost estimates.
  • Perform mission analysis, including orbital mechanics, trajectory planning, and spacecraft deployment strategies.
  • Serve as primary technical liaison between internal technical teams and customers, communicating technical concepts, requirements, and issues to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Lead technical discussion in customer meetings, design reviews, and project status updates.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including electrical, mechanical, and software engineers, to ensure system integration and performance.
  • Develop and maintain customer system-level documentation, including specifications, interface control documents, and system design descriptions.
  • Generate mission-specific technical budgets (power, mass, data, pointing, etc.).
  • Analyze results of coupled loads analysis (CLA) and thermal analysis, and perform electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) assessments.
  • Perform system-level failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and support reliability engineering efforts.
  • Develop bus to payload communication architecture implementation and support space vehicle level test execution.
  • Plan and execute final integrated space vehicle systems testing.
  • Travel to launch sites for vehicle integration, system checkouts, and launch rehearsals.
  • Work with mission operations teams to track and maintain spacecraft in its operational orbit.
  • Lead requirements analysis, verification, and validation activities to ensure compliance with customer needs and industry standards.
  • Identify and assess technical risks associated with system design, development, and operation.
  • Work with engineering, business development, and external partners to shape future missions.

Requirements

  • U.S. Person status (U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee), as this position requires access to export-controlled data under ITAR and EAR.
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
  • 8 or more years of experience working on complex hardware systems (spacecraft preferred) or technical capture management.
  • Experience in satellite manufacturing or related industries (aerospace, defense, or high-tech).
  • Strong understanding of space systems, launch vehicle mechanics, orbital dynamics, and mission operations.
  • Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or other mission analysis tools.
  • Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and managing timelines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and adapt to shifting demands.
  • High attention to detail with a focus on delivering concise and technical review content.

Preferred

  • Previous spacecraft, launch vehicle, or payload engineering experience.
  • Experience with CubeSat, small satellite, or rideshare mission integration.
  • Experience working with prime contractors or government entities.
  • Familiarity with flight software, embedded systems, and space communications protocols (CCSDS, S-band, X-band, etc.).

What We Offer

  • Equity in Apex
  • 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and dependents, plus $100k life insurance at no cost
  • Comprehensive paid time off starting at 15 days vacation annually, growing to 20+ days, plus 10 paid holidays
  • Competitive 401(k) plan with 100% match on first 3%, 50% 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 work-life flexibility

Compensation ranges are set by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Base pay is determined case by case based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities, and internal equity. Full-time hires are eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options.