NPI Manufacturing Engineer - Spacecraft Systems

Apex Space, Inc.; Los Angeles, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Apex

Healthcare benefits for you and depend

PTO 15–20 days + holidays

401(k) with match

Parental leave

Catered lunch and snacks

Playa Vista office

Job summary

Apex Space, Inc. is seeking an experienced NPI Manufacturing Engineer to join our team.

In this role, you will support the development of scalable manufacturing processes, production methodologies, tooling, and new product introduction (NPI) practices for commercial and government programs. You'll work cross-functionally with design engineering, production, supply chain, and quality teams to ensure our deliverables are manufacturable, scalable, and efficient to build.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, NPI, production development, or factory engineering.
• Experience transitioning hardware from prototype to production.
• Strong understanding of DFM/DFA principles and tooling design.
• Proficiency interpreting engineering drawings and specifications.
• Hands-on experience with process validation, hardware bring‑up, and production troubleshooting.
• Cross-functional collaboration with design, supply chain, quality, production, and test teams.
• Exposure to automation systems or advanced manufacturing processes.
• Experience in aerospace, satellites, robotics, automotive, or high‑complexity hardware.

Responsibilities

• Support manufacturing and NPI execution as programs transition from development builds through production ramp.
• Partner with product design and engineering to provide DFM/DFA feedback during concept development, PDR, CDR, and release phases.
• Develop production methodologies and process flows suitable for medium-to-high-rate spacecraft manufacturing.
• Contribute to factory development activities including workflow definition, line design, GSE planning, and equipment integration.
• Define assembly strategies, tooling concepts, work instructions, and production readiness plans.
• Support sourcing, commissioning, validation, and deployment of production equipment, tooling, and manufacturing systems.
• Work with supply chain, production, and quality teams to meet cost, quality, reliability, and production rate targets.
• Establish and maintain manufacturing documentation, process controls, and configuration management practices in line with NPI best practices.

Skills

DFM/DFA

Manufacturing process development

Tooling design

Engineering drawings

Process validation

Hardware bring‑up

Cross‑functional collaboration

Engineering change management

Automation systems

Aerospace hardware

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

DFX feedback

Job description

Apex Space, Inc. is seeking an experienced NPI Manufacturing Engineer to join our team.

In this role, you will support the development of scalable manufacturing processes, production methodologies, tooling, and new product introduction (NPI) practices for commercial and government programs. You'll work cross-functionally with design engineering, production, supply chain, and quality teams to ensure our deliverables are manufacturable, scalable, and efficient to build.