Spacecraft Mechanisms and Actuators Engineer Verified today

About Apex

Apex manufactures commercial satellite buses at scale, designing and integrating spacecraft platforms that enable earth observation, communications, and other critical missions. With more launch vehicles online and reduced costs to orbit, demand for reliable, scalable satellite buses is accelerating.

The Role

You will own and drive the development, integration, testing, and qualification of flight mechanisms and actuator systems from early architecture through delivery. You'll work across mechanical, avionics, controls, GNC, and production teams to develop reliable, scalable, and flight-proven electromechanical hardware capable of surviving demanding space environments and mission lifetimes.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, assemble, and test spacecraft electromechanical systems including solar array drive assemblies (SADAs), reaction wheels, deployment actuators, and other high-reliability mechanisms.
• Own actuator and mechanism development from concept through qualification and flight delivery.
• Support architecture development, trade studies, component selection, and performance analysis for flight mechanisms and motor-driven systems.
• Collaborate closely with avionics, controls, GNC, and software teams on actuator electrical, mechanical, and controls interfaces.
• Define and execute qualification and life cycle testing for high reliability rotary actuators.
• Support mechanism integration, hardware bring-up, troubleshooting, and environmental testing including vibration, thermal vacuum, and life cycle testing campaigns.
• Drive root cause investigations and failure analysis activities related to actuator or mechanism performance.
• Develop manufacturing, assembly, and test strategies for scalable spacecraft production.
• Partner with suppliers and internal teams on component development, qualification, procurement, and hardware validation.
• Contribute to spacecraft-level integration efforts and support flight hardware through build, test, and launch campaigns.
• Create and maintain design documentation, requirements, interface definitions, test plans, and verification reports.

Requirements

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience developing electromechanical systems, mechanisms, rotary actuators for aerospace or other high-reliability applications.
• Experience owning or contributing to the development and delivery of long-life electromechanical actuators for space vehicles.
• Strong understanding of motors, bearings, geartrains, and rotating systems.
• Hands-on experience with mechanism integration, testing, troubleshooting, and hardware bring-up.
• Familiarity with environmental qualification testing including vibration, thermal vacuum, shock, and lifetime testing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to debug complex system-level issues.
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced development environments with high ownership and autonomy.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Nice to Have

• Experience with solar array drive assemblies (SADAs), reaction wheels, control moment gyroscopes, gimbals, or deployment systems.
• Familiarity with motor driver electronics, embedded control implementation, and motor feedback devices.
• Experience with rotor dynamics analysis and rotary balancing techniques.
• Experience developing mechanisms for high-cycle-life or long-duration space missions.
• Familiarity with spacecraft environmental and qualification standards.
• Experience supporting flight hardware through integration, launch, and on-orbit operations.

What We Offer

• Equity in Apex to benefit from the work you create.
• 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% 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.
• World-class Playa Vista office with flexibility to integrate work and life.

ITAR Requirements

To be eligible for this role, applicants must either qualify as a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee) or be able to obtain required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State, Commerce, or another applicable U.S. government agency. Apex's work is governed by U.S. export control laws including ITAR and EAR.

Compensation is determined by role, level, location, and market data. Full-time hires are eligible for stock options, medical, dental, vision coverage, and 401(k) plan.