Mechanisms Engineer, Payloads

The role

You will design, develop, and test payload deployment and articulation mechanisms. You will own mechanism hardware from concept through flight.

What you will do

• Design and develop payload deployment and articulation mechanisms, including hinges, latches, actuators, release mechanisms, and moving assemblies.
• Own mechanism hardware from concept through design, manufacturing, integration, and test.
• Develop 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, tolerance analyses, and GD&T.
• Perform hand calculations and analysis to evaluate loads, kinematics, stiffness, life, and mechanism performance.
• Select and integrate components such as motors, bearings, springs, fasteners, and actuators.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate mechanisms with spacecraft and payload systems.
• Support hands-on assembly, integration, troubleshooting, and testing of hardware.
• Develop and execute functional, life-cycle, and environmental testing.
• Work with manufacturing and suppliers to resolve hardware and production issues.

Required qualifications

• U.S. Person status is required
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience designing and developing mechanical hardware
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., NX, SolidWorks)
• Strong understanding of mechanical design fundamentals, GD&T, and tolerance analysis
• Strong hands-on problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Nice to have

• Experience designing deployment, articulation, or electromechanical mechanisms for spacecraft, aerospace, robotics, or similar systems
• Experience with actuators, hinges, latches, release mechanisms, motors, bearings, or other mechanism components
• Experience taking mechanisms from concept through manufacturing, integration, and test
• Experience with kinematic, structural, or mechanism analysis
• Experience with environmental and life-cycle testing
• Experience with NX and Teamcenter

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
• Stock options

Before you apply

• U.S. Person status is required to access export controlled data
• Applicants must qualify as a U.S. Person 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. The company is a fast-growing startup that has raised more than $500M in funding.