Propulsion Test Technician - Spacecraft

Apex Technology, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Apex

Company-paid health insurance

PTO 15–20 days + holidays

401(k) matching

Parental leave (8 weeks)

Daily catered lunch

Job summary

Apex Space is seeking a Propulsion Test Technician to support hands-on testing of spacecraft propulsion hardware, including thrusters, flow controllers, and PPUs. You’ll set up, execute, and teardown tests, operate test stands and vacuum chambers, and maintain equipment to keep propulsion testing safe and efficient.

Join a fast-paced team at Apex Space, collaborating with engineers to ensure quality and production-rate testing while following strict safety protocols and ITAR requirements.

Qualifications

• 3+ years hands-on testing in a lab, test, manufacturing, or similar environment.
• Hands-on experience using hand tools, power tools, torque tools, fasteners, tubing and fittings, and electrical cabling.
• Able to read and follow technical procedures, engineering drawings, schematics, and work instructions.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot hardware and equipment issues.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate test and maintenance documentation.
• Safety-first mindset and ability to work around pressurized systems, high voltage, vacuum equipment, and other hazardous operations.
• Ability to work effectively with engineers and technicians in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual) as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15).

Responsibilities

• Set up, execute, and tear down propulsion tests on thrusters, flow controllers, PPUs, and related propulsion hardware.
• Operate propulsion test stands, vacuum chambers, pumping systems, instrumentation, and data acquisition equipment.
• Install and remove test articles, including fluid connections, electrical interfaces, sensors, instrumentation, and GSE.
• Perform pre-test checkouts to verify hardware configuration, instrumentation, and test setup are correct and safe to operate.
• Execute test procedures and monitor hardware, instrumentation, and facility systems throughout testing.
• Perform routine and preventive maintenance on test stands, vacuum chambers, pumps, instrumentation, and GSE.
• Troubleshoot test equipment and hardware issues alongside test and propulsion engineers to minimize downtime.
• Monitor equipment health and identify potential failures or maintenance needs before they impact testing.
• Maintain test cells, tooling, equipment, and consumables to ensure systems are organized, calibrated, and ready to run.
• Maintain accurate test logs, as-run documentation, configuration records, and equipment maintenance history.
• Provide feedback to engineering on test procedures, tooling, equipment, and processes to improve safety, reliability, and efficiency.
• Follow safety requirements for vacuum systems, pressurized systems, high-voltage hardware, and other hazardous operations.
• Support qualification and acceptance testing at production rate as Apex scales spacecraft manufacturing.

Skills

Hand tools

Reading engineering drawings

Mechanical aptitude

Attention to detail

Safety-conscious

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma

Technical or vocational training

Tools

Vacuum chambers

Test stands

Data acquisition systems

Instrumentation

GSE

Job description

Apex Space is seeking a Propulsion Test Technician to support hands-on testing of spacecraft propulsion hardware, including thrusters, flow controllers, and PPUs. You’ll set up, execute, and teardown tests, operate test stands and vacuum chambers, and maintain equipment to keep propulsion testing safe and efficient.

Join a fast-paced team at Apex Space, collaborating with engineers to ensure quality and production-rate testing while following strict safety protocols and ITAR requirements.