Spacecraft Mechanisms and Actuators Engineer

The role

This person will develop, integrate, test, and qualify spacecraft electromechanical systems. They will focus on Solar Array Drive Assemblies, reaction wheels, and other high reliability mechanisms.

What you will do

• Conceptualize, design, assemble, and test spacecraft electromechanical systems.
• Own actuator and mechanism development from concept through qualification and flight delivery.
• Support architecture development, trade studies, component selection, and performance analysis.
• Collaborate with avionics, controls, GNC, and software teams.
• Define and execute qualification and life cycle testing for high reliability rotary actuators.
• Support mechanism integration, hardware bring-up, troubleshooting, and environmental testing.
• Drive root cause investigations and failure analysis activities.
• Develop manufacturing, assembly, and test strategies for scalable spacecraft production.
• Partner with suppliers and internal teams on component development and procurement.
• Contribute to spacecraft-level integration efforts and support flight hardware.

Required qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience developing electromechanical systems, mechanisms, rotary actuators, for aerospace or other high-reliability applications.
• Experience owning or contributing to the development and delivery of long-life electromechanical actuators for space vehicles.
• Strong understanding of motors, bearings, geartrains, and rotating systems.
• Hands-on experience with mechanism integration, testing, troubleshooting, and hardware bring-up.
• Familiarity with environmental qualification testing including vibration, thermal vacuum, shock, and lifetime testing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced development environments.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Nice to have

• Experience with Solar Array Drive Assemblies (SADAs), reaction wheels, control moment gyroscopes, gimbals, or deployment systems
• Familiarity with motor driver electronics, embedded control implementation, and/or motor feedback devices
• Experience with rotor dynamics analysis and/or rotary balancing techniques
• Experience developing mechanisms for high-cycle-life or long-duration space missions.
• Familiarity with spacecraft environmental and qualification standards.
• Experience supporting flight hardware through integration, launch, and on-orbit operations.

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% and 50% on next 2% of 401(k)
• 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
• Tools for a dream desk setup

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.

About the company

Apex manufactures satellite buses at scale using software, vertical integration, and hardware designed for manufacturing. They aim to provide humankind access to the galaxy beyond our planet.