Staff Mission Integration Engineer: Spacecraft Systems Lead

Apex; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Apex

Company-paid health/dental/vision

PTO 15–20 days + holidays

401(k) with matching

Parental leave

Daily catered lunch

Job summary

Apex seeks a Staff Mission Integration Engineer to own complex spacecraft analysis and act as the primary liaison between customers and technical teams. You will support mission integration across programs and coordinate with engineering, business development, and partners to ensure mission success.

Responsibilities include end-to-end architecture, payload integration, and detailed analyses. Travel to launch sites and lead technical reviews, with emphasis on enabling scalable Apex spacecraft

Qualifications

• U.S. Person status required for 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 on complex hardware systems (spacecraft preferred) or technical capture management.
• Experience in satellite manufacturing or related industries (aerospace, defense, or high-tech) 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 Python, MATLAB, STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or other mission analysis tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other office productivity tools.

Responsibilities

• Define end-to-end mission architecture for large, complex mission sets across spacecraft, launch vehicle, ground systems, and operations per customer requirements.
• Lead space vehicle integration and test planning including payload integration and launch vehicle integration.
• Develop and integrate customer mission capabilities into Apex architecture.
• Perform mission analysis, including orbital mechanics, trajectory planning, and deployment strategies.
• Serve as primary technical liaison between internal teams and customers on key programs.
• Lead analyses (CLA, thermal, EMC) and related budgets (power, mass, data, pointing).
• Travel to launch sites to lead payload integration, system checkouts, and launch rehearsals.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, integration procedures, and lessons learned.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Project coordination

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Tools

Python

MATLAB

STK

FreeFlyer

GMAT

Job description

Apex seeks a Staff Mission Integration Engineer to own complex spacecraft analysis and act as the primary liaison between customers and technical teams. You will support mission integration across programs and coordinate with engineering, business development, and partners to ensure mission success.

Responsibilities include end-to-end architecture, payload integration, and detailed analyses. Travel to launch sites and lead technical reviews, with emphasis on enabling scalable Apex spacecraft