Senior Mechanical Engineer (Propulsion)

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical design of propulsion system hardware including thrusters, PPUs, manifolds, and tanks
• Perform structural and vibration analyses to support launch loads and thermal cycling
• Generate and maintain CAD models, drawings, and GD&T for flight hardware
• Plan and execute propulsion hardware testing including vacuum, leak, and thermal vacuum qualification
• Support manufacturing, assembly, integration, and launch campaigns
• Diagnose test anomalies and drive corrective action and design iteration
• Partner with systems engineering on requirements and subsystem interfaces

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 8+ years of experience delivering mechanical and/or fluid system hardware
• Strong foundation in fluid mechanics, including compressible/rarefied gas flow and pressure drop
• Experience designing and developing pressurized fluid systems
• Proficiency with CAD tools (NX preferred)
• Ability to own hardware from concept through qualification and flight

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with electric propulsion systems (Hall thrusters, ion thrusters)
• Experience with spacecraft propellant feed systems or xenon
• Familiarity with propulsion testing in vacuum facilities
• Prior flight hardware experience

Benefits

• Equity in Apex
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents
• Comprehensive PTO package and 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) plan with generous matching
• 8 weeks paid parental leave and childcare reimbursement
• Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks

About the Company

Apex manufactures satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware designed for manufacturing to provide humankind access to the galaxy.