Staff Mission Integration Engineer: Spacecraft Systems Lead

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

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