Senior Propulsion Engineer, Structures

The role

You will own the mechanical design of propulsion modules, including structures, mounting, and hardware installation. You will work with in-house component teams and manufacturing to optimize and scale flight-ready assemblies.

What you will do

• Own the mechanical design of propulsion modules, including structures, mounting interfaces, and hardware installation.
• Design module structures to meet vehicle-level structural and environmental requirements.
• Define and manage mechanical, thermal, and structural interfaces.
• Partner with in-house thruster, cathode, flow controller, and PPU teams to co-optimize design.
• Perform and review structural analysis using hand calculations and FEA.
• Design against mass, cost, and power budgets.
• Drive design-for-manufacturing and design-for-assembly.
• Partner with manufacturing and production teams to support builds and resolve issues.
• Incorporate manufacturing feedback into future design iterations.
• Own component and assembly drawings, tolerance stack-ups, and installation instructions.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or a related engineering field.
• 6+ years of relevant mechanical or aerospace engineering experience with a Bachelor's or Master's degree, OR a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related field with 3
• Substantial experience in structural design and hardware installation/integration.
• Strong command of structural design and analysis, including load paths, strength and stiffness, fasteners and joints, tolerance stack-ups, hand calculations, and FEA.
• Experience designing hardware to survive launch and space environments.
• Experience installing and integrating discrete components into structural assemblies.
• Proficiency with CAD, engineering drawings, and GD&T.
• Experience working directly with manufacturing and production teams.
• Ability to design against mass, cost, and power budgets.
• Ability to communicate clearly and drive technical decisions.
• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual) as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15).

Nice to have

• Direct experience with spacecraft propulsion modules, feed systems, or propulsion component integration.
• Experience designing spacecraft or aerospace hardware for serial or high-rate production.
• Familiarity with electric propulsion components.
• Experience with propellant feed-system routing, fluidic components, and cleanliness/contamination control.
• Experience collaborating directly with component design teams to co-optimize hardware.
• Experience supporting environmental qualification testing, including vibration, shock, and TVAC.
• Experience supporting flight hardware through integration, qualification, launch, and/or 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% 401(k) matching
• 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

• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual) as defined by ITAR
• Must be able to obtain required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State, Department of Commerce, or another agency

About the company

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