Propulsion Module Engineer - Hardware & Manufacturing Lead

Apex Space, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Apex

Healthcare

PTO 15–20 days

401(k) with match

Parental leave

Lunch provided

Playa Vista office

Impactful work

Job summary

Apex Space, Inc. is seeking a Propulsion Engineer with experience in structures and hardware integration to design propulsion modules for Apex spacecraft at scale.

You will own mechanical designs across the module, including structure, mounting and installation of flow controllers, PPUs, and thrusters, ensuring a buildable, flight-ready assembly. You’ll partner with teams that own thrusters, cathodes, and PPUs to optimize mechanical, thermal, and interface design from concept through build,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related engineering field.
• Experience with structural design and hardware installation/integration.
• Strong understanding of structural design concepts, load paths, tolerance stacks, and FEA.
• Experience integrating propulsion hardware into structural assemblies.
• Proficiency with CAD, engineering drawings, and GD&T; release, build and test experience.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical designs for propulsion modules, including module structures, mounting interfaces, and installation of flow controllers, PPUs, thrusters, and other propulsion hardware.
• Design module structures to meet vehicle-level structural and environmental requirements (launch loads, vibration, shock, thermal).
• Define interfaces between propulsion components and module, and between module and spacecraft.
• Collaborate with in-house thruster, cathode, flow controller, and PPU teams to optimize mounting, packaging, and interfaces.
• Perform structural analysis (hand calculations, FEA) to verify strength and margins.
• Design for manufacturing and assembly to ensure repeatability and installability at rate.
• Work with manufacturing during first builds and resolve design/integration issues on the floor.
• Incorporate manufacturing feedback into design iterations to improve producibility and time.

Skills

CAD

GD&T

FEA

Structural analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related engineering field

Tools

CAD

FEA software

GD&T tools

Job description

Apex Space, Inc. is seeking a Propulsion Engineer with experience in structures and hardware integration to design propulsion modules for Apex spacecraft at scale.

You will own mechanical designs across the module, including structure, mounting and installation of flow controllers, PPUs, and thrusters, ensuring a buildable, flight-ready assembly. You’ll partner with teams that own thrusters, cathodes, and PPUs to optimize mechanical, thermal, and interface design from concept through build,