Propulsion Integration Lead for Flight-Ready Spacecraft

Apex Technology, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Apex

Health insurance

PTO 15–20 days

401(k) match

Parental leave (8 weeks)

Lunch provided

Office Playa Vista

Staff events

Job summary

Apex Technology, Inc. seeks a Lead Propulsion Integration Engineer to own propulsion modules from requirements through design, integration, servicing, and launch. You will lead engineers, drive architecture, and ensure flight-ready propulsion hardware meets mass, cost, power, and vehicle interfaces.

This hands-on leadership role requires close collaboration with systems, structures, thermal, avionics, power, and manufacturing teams. Industry experience and ITAR compliance are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, propulsion engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of spacecraft propulsion, mechanical/fluid systems, propulsion integration, or related hardware development.
• Experience leading engineers as a technical lead or manager.
• Strong experience with propulsion module and feed-system design, including tank sizing and selection, structural integration, fluid routing, and component selection.
• Experience owning hardware against vehicle-level requirements, ICDs, and mass, cost, and power budgets.
• Hands-on experience with spacecraft propellant servicing, including fill/drain operations and ground support equipment.
• Knowledge of range safety requirements for hazardous spacecraft operations.
• Proven experience taking flight propulsion hardware from design through build, integration, test, and launch.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills and the ability to represent propulsion in vehicle-level decisions.
• Must be a U.S. Person per ITAR requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the propulsion module integration team with strong technical rigor and ownership.
• Own propulsion module architecture across Apex spacecraft platforms, including tank sizing, module structure, mounting, feed-system routing, and interfaces.
• Translate requirements into propulsion designs with propellant and delta‑v budgets.
• Deliver flight-ready modules within mass, cost, and power targets while meeting vehicle requirements.
• Ensure module structures and interfaces meet structural, environmental, and verification standards.
• Own spacecraft propellant servicing including fill/drain operations and ground support equipment.
• Ensure hazardous servicing meets range requirements and maintains safety documentation.
• Drive design for manufacturing, integration, test, and serviceability for high-rate production.
• Collaborate with systems, structures, thermal, avionics, power, propulsion components, manufacturing, supply chain, QA, and program management.
• Support vehicle integration, test, launch campaigns, and root-cause investigations when needed.
• Communicate status, risks, and plans to engineering leadership.

Skills

Propulsion engineering

Technical leadership

System integration

Cross-functional

Root-cause analysis

Education

BSc in propulsion engineering

Job description

Apex Technology, Inc. seeks a Lead Propulsion Integration Engineer to own propulsion modules from requirements through design, integration, servicing, and launch. You will lead engineers, drive architecture, and ensure flight-ready propulsion hardware meets mass, cost, power, and vehicle interfaces.

This hands-on leadership role requires close collaboration with systems, structures, thermal, avionics, power, and manufacturing teams. Industry experience and ITAR compliance are essential.