Mission Operations & Assurance Chief Engineer

The role

You will provide technical leadership for spacecraft on-orbit operations, anomaly investigations, and root cause corrective actions across the satellite constellation. You will act as the central technical authority for identifying and resolving mission-critical issues.

What you will do

• Serve as the primary engineering focal point for on-orbit spacecraft anomalies and subsystem failures
• Direct anomaly triage, fault isolation, and recovery planning
• Lead Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations
• Apply systematic problem-solving methodologies like FTA and FMEA
• Evaluate anomaly implications across the broader satellite fleet
• Provide technical recommendations for spacecraft recovery and operational workarounds
• Evaluate verification and validation activities for corrective actions
• Ensure traceability between anomalies, root causes, and corrective actions
• Establish and maintain structured investigation processes
• Develop and communicate technical investigation findings to leadership

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a closely related technical discipline
• 10+ years of relevant engineering experience in spacecraft development, satellite systems engineering, mission operations, reliability engineering, or mission assurance
• 5+ years of experience supporting spacecraft mission operations, complex aerospace system troubleshooting, failure investigations, or anomaly resolution
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary technical investigations, failure review boards, or structured RCCA activities
• Strong systems-level understanding of spacecraft architectures, subsystem interfaces, failure modes, and operational dependencies
• Experience analyzing engineering telemetry, test data, event logs, and other technical evidence
• Working knowledge of structured reliability and failure investigation methodologies, including FMEA/FMECA
• Demonstrated ability to assess technical risks and develop mitigation strategies
• Experience coordinating engineering activities across multiple technical disciplines
• Strong technical writing and communication skills
• Ability to support critical mission operations outside normal business hours when required

Nice to have

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
• 15+ years of experience in spacecraft engineering, mission operations, reliability, or mission assurance
• Direct experience leading on-orbit anomaly investigations for operational satellite constellations
• Previous experience as a Spacecraft Chief Engineer, Mission Operations Chief Engineer, Mission Assurance Lead, or Failure Review Board Chair
• Experience supporting spacecraft operations from initial commissioning through end-of-life disposal
• Deep technical knowledge of multiple spacecraft subsystems
• Experience investigating complex hardware/software interactions, intermittent failures, or radiation-induced anomalies
• Experience implementing design or operational corrective actions across high-volume satellite manufacturing
• Experience developing anomaly management processes, fleet health dashboards, and reliability metrics
• Demonstrated ability to challenge technical assumptions and drive difficult technical decisions

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
• 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, and run club
• Dream desk setup

Before you apply

• Must qualify as a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee) or 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.