Mission Integration Engineer - SV Design

Apex Technology, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Apex

Company-paid healthcare

PTO 15+ days

401(k) matching

Parental leave

Daily catered lunch

Playa Vista office

Job summary

Apex Technology, Inc. in Playa Vista, CA, is seeking a Mission Integration Engineer specializing in Space Vehicle Design to translate our satellite bus platform into customer missions.

You will serve as the primary liaison between customers and internal teams, develop mission concepts, perform analyses, and oversee space vehicle integration and test. Ideal candidates have 3+ years in hardware systems, aerospace experience, and strong Python/MATLAB/STK skills.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience with complex hardware systems (spacecraft preferred) or technical capture management.
• Strong understanding of space systems, launch vehicle mechanics, orbital dynamics, and mission operations.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and managing timelines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Support proposals for future missions with technical approaches, feasibility studies, and cost estimates.
• Perform mission analysis, including orbital mechanics and trajectory planning.
• Serve as primary technical liaison between internal teams and customers, conveying requirements and issues clearly.

Skills

Orbital mechanics

Mission analysis

Cross-functional coordination

Python

MATLAB

STK

FreeFlyer

GMAT

Technical communication

Attention to detail

Education

Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Eng. degree

Tools

Python

MATLAB

STK

FreeFlyer

GMAT

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

Responsibilities

• Support 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 the primary technical liaison between internal technical teams and customers, communicating technical concepts, requirements, and issues clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Participate 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.
• Support 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, as this position needs access to export-controlled data.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ 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.).

#LI-RC1

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

Additional Information:

Compensation ranges are set by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Candidate's specific level and base pay are determined case by case and may vary with job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities, and internal equity. Beyond base salary, full-time hires are also eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options, along with medical, dental, and vision coverage and a 401(k) retirement plan.

ITAR Requirements

Apex's work is governed by U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). To be eligible for this role, 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 the required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce, or another applicable U.S. government agency. You can learn more about ITAR here.

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.