Propulsion Engineer: Hardware & Module Integration

Hardware FYI; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shared equity

Healthcare cover

PTO & holidays

401(k) match

Parental leave

Lunch provision

Community events

Ergonomic desk setup

Playa Vista office

Impact opportunity

Job summary

Apex is seeking a Propulsion Engineer with experience in structures and hardware integration to design the propulsion modules that bolt onto Apex spacecraft at scale. You will own mechanical designs across the module, including the structure, mounting and installation of flow controllers, PPUs, and thrusters, and the packaging that turns a set of components into a single, buildable, flight-ready assembly.

You’ll work with our in-house teams to optimize mechanical, thermal, and interface design

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related engineering field.
• 3+ years in mechanical or aerospace engineering with structural design experience.
• Experience with hardware integration and vibration/thermal environments.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical designs for propulsion modules and mounting interfaces.
• Design module structures to meet vehicle requirements including launch loads.
• Define mechanical, thermal, and structural interfaces between components and module.
• Collaborate with in-house thruster/cathode/flow controller/PPU teams.
• Perform hand calculations and FEA to verify strength and margins.
• Design for manufacturability and assembly for repeatability.
• Work with manufacturing during first builds and resolve issues.
• Incorporate feedback to improve producibility and yield.
• Create drawings, tolerances, torque specs, and installation instructions.
• Support build, integration, and test of flight hardware; assist anomaly resolution.
• Contribute to design improvements across module generations as production scales.

Skills

Mechanical design

Aerospace hardware

Structural analysis

CAD

FEA

Manufacturing

Interfacing hardware

GD&T

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelors in mechanical / aerospace

Tools

CAD

FEA software

GD&T

Job description

Apex is seeking a Propulsion Engineer with experience in structures and hardware integration to design the propulsion modules that bolt onto Apex spacecraft at scale. You will own mechanical designs across the module, including the structure, mounting and installation of flow controllers, PPUs, and thrusters, and the packaging that turns a set of components into a single, buildable, flight-ready assembly.

You’ll work with our in-house teams to optimize mechanical, thermal, and interface design