Lead Spacecraft Manufacturing Engineer

The role

You will lead and develop a team of manufacturing engineers while driving process excellence for spacecraft production. You will manage project assignments, set technical direction, and solve complex manufacturing challenges.

What you will do

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of spacecraft manufacturing engineers
• Manage project assignments, performance, and professional growth
• Design, validate, and optimize manufacturing processes for spacecraft
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure manufacturability
• Provide hands-on technical leadership on tooling design and process qualifications
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and best practices
• Stay updated with advancements in aerospace manufacturing and integration
• Provide technical support and training to production personnel

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Electrical, or related field)
• 5+ years of experience in aerospace or complex hardware manufacturing
• Strong leadership fundamentals in delegation and driving strategic initiatives
• Proven track record of implementing process improvements
• Excellent project management skills
• Strong technical communication skills
• Demonstrated experience leading root cause and corrective action investigations
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, hardware-intensive environments

Nice to have

• 1+ years of technical leadership or team management experience
• Strong people leadership skills
• Experience in spacecraft or launch vehicle manufacturing
• Experience in supporting the scaling of manufacturing operations
• Familiarity with AS9100 or other high-reliability aerospace quality systems
• Experience with MES/ERP/MRP systems and digital production tracking
• Lean manufacturing, value stream mapping, or process optimization experience
• Tooling and fixture design for aerospace assembly

Benefits

• Equity in Apex
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents
• $100k life insurance at no cost
• 15 to 20+ days vacation annually
• 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) plan with 100% match on first 3% and 50% 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, and run club

Before you apply

• Must qualify as a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee) or be able to obtain required export authorizations

About the company

Apex manufactures satellite buses at scale using software, vertical integration, and hardware designed for manufacturing. It is a fast-growing startup that has raised more than $500M in funding.