Senior Propulsion Engineer – Spacecraft Module Design

Apex Technology, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shared equity

Company-paid healthcare

PTO 15–20 days

401(k) with matching

Parental leave

Catered lunch

Office Playa Vista

Impactful aerospace work

Job summary

Apex Technology, Inc. is seeking a Senior Propulsion Engineer to own the mechanical design of propulsion modules for scalable spacecraft production. You will define module structures, mounting interfaces, and integration with in-house thrusters, flow controllers, and PPUs, driving optimization early in the design cycle.

You will work with manufacturing to support first builds and resolve floor issues, applying structural analysis and CAD/GD&T to ensure robust, producible hardware for spaceflight.

Qualifications

• Strong command of structural design and analysis with hands-on hardware experience.
• Experience designing for launch loads, vibration, and thermal environments.
• Proficient with CAD, drawings, and GD&T; ownership from concept to release.

Responsibilities

• Own propulsion module mechanical design, including structures and interfaces.
• Define mechanical, thermal, and structural interfaces with components and spacecraft.
• Collaborate with in-house thruster, flow controller, and PPU teams to co-optimize designs.
• Perform hand calculations and FEA to verify strength and margins.
• Support build, integration, test, and anomaly investigations.

Skills

Structural design

FEA

CAD/GD&T

Hardware integration

Manufacturing liaison

Budgeting trade-offs

Clear communication

Education

Bachelor's in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Master's or PhD option

Tools

CAD

Job description

Apex Technology, Inc. is seeking a Senior Propulsion Engineer to own the mechanical design of propulsion modules for scalable spacecraft production. You will define module structures, mounting interfaces, and integration with in-house thrusters, flow controllers, and PPUs, driving optimization early in the design cycle.

You will work with manufacturing to support first builds and resolve floor issues, applying structural analysis and CAD/GD&T to ensure robust, producible hardware for spaceflight.