Payloads Mechanical Engineer — Satellite Hardware & Integration

Apex; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Healthcare

PTO 15–20 days

401(k) matching

Parental leave

Lunch provided

Job summary

Apex is seeking a Mechanical Engineer, Payloads to join our satellite engineering team. You will design, integrate, and test payload hardware and supporting structures across Apex spacecraft programs, collaborating with payload, structures, thermal, avionics, manufacturing, and systems engineering.

You will develop 3D models and drawings, perform basic structural analysis, and define mechanical interfaces to ensure flight-ready hardware from concept to launch.

Qualifications

• U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export controlled data.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience designing and developing mechanical hardware.
• Proficiency in CAD software for 3D modeling and drafting (e.g., NX, SolidWorks).
• Strong understanding of mechanical design fundamentals, including structural design, material selection, fasteners, and tolerance analysis.
• Experience developing engineering drawings and applying GD&T.
• Strong hands-on problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience designing mechanical hardware for spacecraft, satellites, aerospace, or other high-reliability systems.
• Experience with payload mechanical design and spacecraft-level payload integration.
• Experience taking hardware through the full development lifecycle from concept through manufacturing, integration, and test.
• Experience with structural analysis, including hand calculations and finite element analysis (FEA).
• Familiarity with aerospace manufacturing processes, including CNC machining, sheet metal, composites, and additive manufacturing.
• Experience with environmental testing, including vibration, shock, static, and thermal vacuum testing.
• Experience supporting hands‑on assembly and integration of flight hardware.
• Experience with NX and Teamcenter.
• Familiarity with ASME, NASA, or other aerospace design and qualification standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop mechanical designs and 3D models for payload hardware, mounting structures, brackets, enclosures, and supporting components.
• Own mechanical payload integration from initial concept and interface definition through design, manufacturing, assembly, and test.
• Define and manage mechanical interfaces between payloads, spacecraft structures, and other vehicle subsystems.
• Perform structural analysis and hand calculations to ensure payload hardware meets strength, stiffness, mass, and environmental requirements.
• Optimize designs for mass, manufacturability, assembly, reliability, and spacecraft-level performance.
• Develop detailed engineering drawings, GD&T, interface control documentation, and hardware specifications.
• Evaluate and select appropriate materials, fasteners, coatings, and manufacturing processes for flight hardware.
• Collaborate with payload, structures, thermal, avionics, RF, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams to resolve integration challenges.
• Work directly with manufacturing and suppliers to support hardware fabrication and resolve issues.
• Support hands‑on assembly, integration, and testing (AIT) of payload and spacecraft hardware.
• Develop and execute environmental testing, including vibration, shock, static, and thermal vacuum testing.
• Troubleshoot mechanical issues during manufacturing, integration, and test and drive problems to resolution.
• Prepare and participate in design reviews, test readiness reviews, and other technical reviews.
• Maintain engineering documentation, including design changes, analysis results, test reports, and as-built configurations.

Skills

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Teamcenter

Job description

Apex is seeking a Mechanical Engineer, Payloads to join our satellite engineering team. You will design, integrate, and test payload hardware and supporting structures across Apex spacecraft programs, collaborating with payload, structures, thermal, avionics, manufacturing, and systems engineering.

You will develop 3D models and drawings, perform basic structural analysis, and define mechanical interfaces to ensure flight-ready hardware from concept to launch.