Spacecraft PCBA Manufacturing Engineer

The role

This engineer will develop, implement, and scale manufacturing processes for high-reliability spacecraft electronics. You will own process development for printed circuit board assemblies from initial prototypes through production ramp.

What you will do

• Develop, implement, and optimize PCBA manufacturing processes for spacecraft avionics and electronic hardware.
• Own manufacturing process development from prototype builds through qualification and production ramp.
• Establish and improve SMT assembly processes, including solder paste printing, component placement, reflow soldering, and inspection.
• Develop manufacturing processes for through-hole assembly, selective soldering, hand soldering, and rework.
• Define manufacturing requirements, process parameters, inspection criteria, and workmanship standards.
• Partner with avionics design engineering to identify and resolve design-for-manufacturability and design-for-assembly challenges.
• Support equipment selection, tooling development, production line configuration, and manufacturing readiness.
• Investigate and resolve PCBA defects, including solder joint failures, component damage, contamination, and assembly-related issues.
• Develop process controls and validation methods to improve first-pass yield, repeatability, and production throughput.
• Collaborate with quality engineering to drive root cause investigations, corrective actions, and continuous process improvements.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 4+ years of experience in PCBA manufacturing engineering, electronics manufacturing, or SMT process development.
• Hands-on experience with SMT assembly processes, soldering, reflow profiling, and PCBA inspection.
• Understanding of PCB fabrication, component packaging, solder joint reliability, and electronics assembly requirements.
• Experience troubleshooting PCBA manufacturing defects and implementing corrective actions.
• Familiarity with IPC workmanship standards, including IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001.
• Experience developing manufacturing documentation, process instructions, and production controls.

Nice to have

• Experience manufacturing high-reliability electronics for aerospace, defense, medical devices, or automotive applications.
• Familiarity with IPC Class 3 workmanship requirements.
• Experience with BGA, QFN, fine-pitch components, and complex multilayer PCBAs.
• Knowledge of automated optical inspection, X-ray inspection, and solder paste inspection systems.
• Experience with conformal coating, staking, underfill, and electronics environmental protection processes.
• Familiarity with NASA or aerospace electronics workmanship requirements.
• Experience developing or scaling in-house PCBA manufacturing lines.
• Understanding of electronics reliability testing, thermal cycling, vibration testing, and failure analysis.

Benefits

• Equity in Apex
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents
• $100k life insurance at no cost
• Starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually
• 10 paid holidays
• 100% match on first 3% of 401(k), 50% match on next 2%
• 8 weeks paid parental leave
• Childcare reimbursement up to $350/day for work-related travel
• Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks
• Monthly office socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and gatherings

Before you apply

• Applicants must qualify as a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or individual granted asylum) or be able to obtain required export authorizations from the U.S.

About the company

Apex manufactures satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware. They are a fast-growing startup that has raised more than $500M in funding.