Staff Mission Integration Engineer

Apex Space, Inc.; Los Angeles, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Apex

Best-in-class healthcare

Comprehensive PTO

401(k) with matching

Parental leave

Catered lunches

Job summary

Apex Space, Inc. is seeking a Staff Mission Integration Engineer to join our Playa Vista, CA team.

You will independently own complex spacecraft analysis and serve as the primary liaison between customers and Apex engineering teams to ensure mission success. The role defines end-to-end mission architecture, leads I&T and launch vehicle integration, performs mission analysis, and develops technical documentation and budgets while coordinating across electrical, mechanical, and software

Qualifications

• U.S. Person status required due to export-controlled data.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 12+ years of experience with complex hardware systems or technical capture management.
• Experience in satellite manufacturing or related industries preferred.
• Strong understanding of space systems, launch vehicle mechanics, orbital dynamics, and mission operations.
• Experience with prime contractors or government entities.
• Experience with CubeSat/small satellite or rideshare mission integration.
• Proficiency in Excel and other office productivity tools.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or other mission analysis tools.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Define end-to-end mission architecture for large complex mission sets, including spacecraft, launch vehicle, ground systems, and operations per customer requirements.
• Lead space vehicle I&T planning and execution including payload integration, spacecraft level environmental test, and launch vehicle integration.
• Lead development and integration of customer mission capabilities into standard Apex architecture.
• Perform architecture trades through mission analysis, including orbital mechanics, trajectory planning, and spacecraft deployment strategies.
• Serve as the primary technical liaison between internal technical teams and customers on key strategic programs.
• Lead execution of coupled loads analysis (CLA), thermal analysis, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) assessments.
• Generate and maintain mission specific technical budgets (power, mass, data, pointing, etc)
• Travel to launch sites to lead payload integration, system checkouts, and launch rehearsals.
• Work with mission operations teams to track and maintain spacecraft in its operational orbit.
• Lead the development of technical documentation, integration procedures, and lessons learned to improve future missions.
• Develop technical standard processes aligned with company strategic objectives.
• Work with engineering, business development, and external partners to shape future strategic mission sets.
• Lead the technical support of proposals for future missions by defining technical approaches, feasibility studies, and cost estimates.
• Develop and maintain customer system-level documentation, including specifications, interface control documents, and system design descriptions.
• Lead requirements analysis, verification, and validation activities to ensure compliance with customer needs and industry standards.
• Identify and assess technical risks associated with system design, development, and operation.
• Perform system-level failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and support reliability engineering efforts.
• Lead cross-functional team efforts across electrical, mechanical, and software engineers, to ensure system integration and performance.
• Communicate technical concepts, requirements, and issues clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Lead Apex technical support of customer meetings, design reviews, and project status updates.

Skills

Space systems expertise

Systems engineering leadership

Customer liaison experience

Mission analysis

Architecture trades

Cross-functional leadership

Export control compliance awareness

Programming in Python

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

Python

MATLAB

STK

FreeFlyer

GMAT

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 seeking a dynamic, organized, and driven Staff Mission Integration Engineer to join our expanding team. As a company at the forefront of space exploration and satellite technology, Apex is looking for an individual capable of independently owning complex spacecraft analysis and serving as the primary liaison between our customers and technical teams to ensure mission success. The Staff Mission Integration Engineer is also responsible for acting as a generalist across our programs to support customer mission integration.

Responsibilities:

• Define end-to-end mission architecture for large complex mission sets, including spacecraft, launch vehicle, ground systems, and operations per customer requirements

• Lead space vehicle I&T planning and execution including payload integration, spacecraft level environmental test, and launch vehicle integration

• Lead development and integration of customer mission capabilities into standard Apex architecture

• Perform architecture trades through mission analysis, including orbital mechanics, trajectory planning, and spacecraft deployment strategies

• Serve as the primary technical liaison between internal technical teams and customers on key strategic programs

• Lead execution of coupled loads analysis (CLA), thermal analysis, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) assessments.

• Generate and maintain mission specific technical budgets (power, mass, data, pointing, etc)

• Travel to launch sites to lead payload integration, system checkouts, and launch rehearsals

• Work with mission operations teams to track and maintain spacecraft in its operational orbit

• Lead the development of technical documentation, integration procedures, and lessons learned to improve future missions

• Develop technical standard processes aligned with company strategic objectives

• Work with engineering, business development, and external partners to shape future strategic mission sets

• Lead the technical support of proposals for future missions by defining technical approaches, feasibility studies, and cost estimates

• Develop and maintain customer system-level documentation, including specifications, interface control documents, and system design descriptions.

• Lead requirements analysis, verification, and validation activities to ensure compliance with customer needs and industry standards.

• Identify and assess technical risks associated with system design, development, and operation

• Perform system-level failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and support reliability engineering efforts

• Lead cross-functional team efforts across electrical, mechanical, and software engineers, to ensure system integration and performance.

• Communicate technical concepts, requirements, and issues clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Lead Apex technical support of customer meetings, design reviews, and project status updates.

Requirements:

• U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export controlled data.

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

• At least 12+ years of experience working on complex hardware systems (spacecraft preferred) or technical capture management.

• Experience in satellite manufacturing or related industries (aerospace, defense, or high-tech) is strongly preferred.

• Strong understanding of space systems, launch vehicle mechanics, orbital dynamics, and mission operations

• Experience working with prime contractors or government entities

• Experience with CubeSat, small satellite, or rideshare mission integration

• Familiarity with flight software, embedded systems, and space communications protocols (CCSDS, S-band, X-band, etc.).

• Previous spacecraft, launch vehicle, or payload engineering experience

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other office productivity tools

• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or other mission analysis tools.

• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and managing timelines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities, with the ability to prioritize and adapt to changing demands.

• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively across the Apex team

• High attention to detail with a focus on delivering concise and technical review content

• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-changing environment with shifting priorities and deadlines

#LI-RC1

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 that has raised more than $500M in 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 socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and 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 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.