Lead Mechanical Engineer, Structures

Socket.dev; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shared equity

Company-paid healthcare

PTO 15–20 days + holidays

401(k) matching

Parental leave

Daily lunch and snacks

Office Playa Vista

Impactful work

Job summary

Apex Technology, Inc. is seeking a Lead Structures Engineer to own the design, development, and delivery of flight-critical spacecraft structural systems from concept through on-orbit operation.

You will drive architecture, analysis, hardware execution, and cross-functional integration with thermal, avionics, propulsion, and manufacturing teams. You will lead a small team, perform FEA, develop test campaigns, and ensure production-ready structures for next-generation satellites at scale at our

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or related field).
• 5+ years of experience designing and delivering structural or mechanical systems.
• 1+ years of professional experience leading technical teams and/or projects.
• Experience owning hardware from concept through test or production.
• Strong fundamentals in structural analysis, mechanical design, and system integration.
• Experience designing lightweight aerospace structures, load-bearing assemblies, composite or metallic structures, and structural interfaces.
• Proficiency with CAD (NX, CATIA, SolidWorks) and FEA tools (ANSYS, Nastran, Abaqus).
• Experience developing and executing structural test campaigns.
• Demonstrated ability to move quickly, take ownership, and solve complex problems in fast-paced environments.
• Experience working with suppliers and managing external partners.
• Exposure to spacecraft, launch vehicles, or other high-performance hardware systems.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end design of spacecraft structural systems from concept through flight, including architecture, requirements, CAD, drawings, and specs.
• Drive trade studies and supplier execution while partnering cross-functionally to deliver integrated systems.
• Perform first-principles analysis and FEA to size and validate components and assemblies.
• Develop and execute structural test plans, analyze results and iterate designs.
• Own hardware through build, integration, and test in fast-paced environments.
• Lead a small team through design reviews and mentor engineers while balancing performance, risk, and manufacturability.

Skills

Structural design

FEA

Leadership

CAD NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

ANSYS

Nastran

Abaqus

Test campaigns

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

ANSYS

Nastran

Abaqus

Job description

Spacecraft represent the most pressing unmet need across the entire aerospace industry. As more launch vehicles come online and the cost to orbit decreases, more companies launching payloads to space continue to emerge.

For the first time in history, this influx of payload companies combined with reduced launch costs has resulted in a massive increase in need for commercial spacecraft platforms, known as satellite buses. These buses hold the payloads of our customers and are flown on launch vehicles.

Apex manufactures these satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware that is designed for manufacturing. Our spacecraft enable the future of society: ranging from earth observation to communications and more.

We’d love for you to join us on our mission of providing humankind access to the galaxy beyond our planet.

About the Role

Apex is looking for a Lead Structures Engineer to support our current and next generation satellites. This person will own the design, development, and delivery of flight-critical spacecraft structural systems from concept through on-orbit operation. This role will drive architecture, analysis, hardware execution, and cross-functional integration for primary and secondary structures, load-bearing assemblies, and structural interfaces.

You will operate with high ownership, leading complex hardware programs while partnering closely with thermal, avionics, propulsion, mechanisms, and manufacturing teams to deliver reliable, production-ready systems at scale.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end design of spacecraft structural systems (primary structure, secondary structure, brackets, panels, and interfaces) from concept through flight, including architecture, requirements, CAD, drawings, and specifications

• Drive trade studies (mass, stiffness, strength, manufacturability, reliability), make-vs-buy decisions, and supplier execution while partnering cross-functionally (thermal, propulsion, avionics, GNC, manufacturing) to deliver fully integrated systems

• Perform first-principles analysis and FEA (static, dynamic, modal, thermal distortion, and load path analysis) to size and validate spacecraft structural components and assemblies

• Develop and execute structural test plans (development, qualification, acceptance), including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, and static load testing; analyze results and iterate designs based on data and flight feedback

• Own hardware through build, integration, and test, diagnosing issues quickly and driving solutions in fast-paced, hands-on environments

• Lead a small team through design reviews, set technical direction, and mentor engineers while driving decisions that balance performance, risk, schedule, and manufacturability

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or related field)

• 5+ years of experience designing and delivering structural or mechanical systems

• 1+ years of professional experience leadinging technical teams and/or projects

• Experience owning hardware from concept through test or production

• Strong fundamentals in structural analysis, mechanical design, and system integration

• Experience designing lightweight aerospace structures, load-bearing assemblies, composite or metallic structures, and structural interfaces

• Proficiency with CAD (NX, CATIA, SolidWorks) and FEA tools (ANSYS, Nastran, Abaqus, etc.)

• Experience developing and executing structural test campaigns

• Demonstrated ability to move quickly, take ownership, and solve complex problems in fast-paced environments

• Experience working with suppliers and managing external partners

• Exposure to spacecraft, launch vehicles, or other high-performance hardware systems

Nice to Have

• Experience with spacecraft or aerospace structural systems

• Familiarity with environmental testing (vibe, shock, thermal vacuum)

• Hands-on experience with machining, assembly, integration, or hardware bring-up

• Familiarity with composite design, bonded structures, or lightweighting strategies

• Scripting or analysis tools (Python, MATLAB, etc.)

Why Join Apex?

Apex believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day. Our employees love working at Apex, and we want you to love it too. We're a fast-growing startup that has raised more than $500M in funding, and we invest heavily in our people from day one.

What We Offer For Full-time Employees:

• Shared upside: Receive equity in Apex, letting you benefit from the work you create

• Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents, plus $100k life insurance at no cost

• Comprehensive PTO package to reset and recharge - starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays

• Competitive 401(k) plan with generous 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 to keep you fueled throughout the day

• Vibrant community: Monthly office socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and gatherings for you and your family

• Your dream desk setup and all the tools you need to be your most productive self

• World-class Playa Vista office with the benefit of in-person collaboration with amazing coworkers and flexibility to integrate work and life

• Real impact opportunity: Work alongside experts from aerospace, new space, and other cutting-edge industries to make a lasting difference

Ready to join a team where your contributions matter and your future is bright? Let's build something extraordinary together.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Apex Technology, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.