Spacecraft Avionics Lead

Apex Technology, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in the company

100% company-paid healthcare

Comprehensive PTO package

Competitive 401(k) matching

8 weeks paid parental leave

Daily catered lunch and snacks

Vibrant community events

Custom desk setup

Job summary

A leading aerospace technology firm in Los Angeles is seeking an Avionics Lead to develop flight critical avionics systems. This role involves overseeing the architecture and delivery of avionics systems, leading a high-performing team, and driving collaboration with multiple technical teams. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, significant experience with PCB design, and strong leadership skills. This company offers competitive compensation and robust benefits for full-time employees including equity options, comprehensive healthcare, and flexible work arrangements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience designing and delivering electrical systems for aerospace or other high reliability applications.
• Strong experience with PCB design, schematic capture, layout, and bring up.
• Experience with Altium or similar PCB design tools.
• Hands on experience debugging electronics at the board and system level.
• Proven technical leadership experience owning subsystems or mentoring engineers.
• Ability to communicate technical trade offs clearly.

Responsibilities

• Own the architecture and development of spacecraft avionics systems.
• Lead the design, layout, bring up, and validation of custom PCBs.
• Deliver flight ready hardware and support integration.
• Partner closely with software, GNC, mechanical, and production teams.
• Assist with hiring, mentor, and lead a team of electrical engineers.
• Establish and improve processes for avionics systems.

Job description

Spacecraft represent the most pressing unmet need across the entire aerospace industry. As more launch vehicles come online and the cost to orbit decreases, more companies launching payloads to space continue to emerge.

For the first time in history, this influx of payload companies combined with reduced launch costs has resulted in a massive increase in need for commercial spacecraft platforms, known as satellite buses. These buses hold the payloads of our customers and are flown on launch vehicles.

Apex manufactures these satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware that is designed for manufacturing. Our spacecraft enable the future of society: ranging from earth observation to communications and more.

We’d love for you to join us on our mission of providing humankind access to the galaxy beyond our planet.

About the Role

Apex is looking for an Avionics Lead to own the architecture, development, and delivery of flight critical avionics systems. you’ll drive technical direction across power, communications, and control systems while leading a small, high performing team. You’ll stay hands on and take hardware from clean sheet through flight and into scalable production, working closely with software, GNC, mechanical, and production teams to ensure reliable and repeatable spacecraft builds.

Responsibilities:

• Own the architecture and development of spacecraft avionics systems, including power distribution, communications, and control systems

• Lead the design, layout, bring up, and validation of custom PCBs for flight hardware

• Drive system level trade studies balancing performance with spacecraft constraints including power, thermal, EMI, and mechanical

• Deliver flight ready hardware and support integration, test, and production efforts

• Partner closely with software, GNC, mechanical, and production teams to ensure successful system integration

• Assist with hiring, mentor, and lead a team of electrical engineers while setting a high technical bar

• Lead rapid prototyping and development efforts to evaluate designs, derisk interfaces, and validate performance

• Establish and improve processes to ensure avionics systems are reliable, manufacturable, and scalable

• Troubleshoot and resolve issues at the board and system level across design, integration, and production

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

• 5+ years of experience designing and delivering electrical systems for aerospace or other high reliability applications

• Strong experience with PCB design, schematic capture, layout, and bring up

• Experience with Altium or similar PCB design tools

• Experience with component selection, circuit analysis and simulation, and board manufacturing processes

• Hands on experience debugging electronics at the board and system level

• Proven technical leadership experience owning subsystems or mentoring engineers

• Ability to communicate technical trade offs clearly and drive cross functional alignment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

• Experience designing for space or other harsh environments including thermal, EMI, and radiation considerations

• Background in avionics subsystems such as power systems, communications, sensors, or control electronics

• Experience in a fast paced or startup environment

Why Join Apex?

Apex believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day. Our employees love working at Apex, and we want you to love it too. We're a fast-growing startup backed by $200M in Series D funding, and we invest heavily in our people from day one.

What We Offer For Full-time Employees:

• Shared upside: Receive equity in Apex, letting you benefit from the work you create

• Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents, plus $100k life insurance at no cost

• Comprehensive PTO package to reset and recharge - starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays

• Competitive 401(k) plan with generous matching - 100% match on first 3%, 50% on next 2%

• 8 weeks paid parental leave plus childcare reimbursement up to $350/day for work-related travel

• Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks to keep you fueled throughout the day

• Vibrant community: Monthly office BBQs, pickleball tournaments, run club, and social gatherings for you and your family

• Your dream desk setup and all the tools you need to be your most productive self

• World-class Playa Vista office with EV chargers, with the benefit of in-person collaboration with amazing coworkers and flexibility to integrate work and life

• Real impact opportunity: Work alongside experts from aerospace, new space, and other cutting-edge industries to make a lasting difference

Ready to join a team where your contributions matter and your future is bright? Let's build something extraordinary together.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Apex Technology, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.