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Apex manufactures satellite buses (spacecraft platforms) at scale, combining software, vertical integration, and hardware design for manufacturing. The company serves the rapidly growing commercial space industry by providing spacecraft that enable earth observation, communications, and other critical missions.
As Mission Integration Engineer, you will independently own complex spacecraft analysis and serve as the primary technical liaison between customers and internal technical teams. You will act as a generalist across programs, supporting all phases of mission execution from planning through operations.
Key responsibilities include:
- Support space vehicle integration and test (I&T) planning and execution, including payload integration, spacecraft environmental testing, and launch vehicle integration
- Perform mission analysis covering orbital mechanics, trajectory planning, and spacecraft deployment strategies
- Serve as primary technical liaison between internal teams and customers
- Analyze coupled loads analysis (CLA), thermal analysis results, and perform electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) assessments
- Generate mission-specific technical budgets (power, mass, data, pointing, etc.)
- Travel to launch sites for payload integration, system checkouts, and launch rehearsals
- Coordinate with mission operations teams to track and maintain spacecraft in operational orbit
- Develop technical documentation, integration procedures, and lessons learned
- Support proposals for future missions by defining technical approaches, feasibility studies, and cost estimates
- Develop and maintain customer system-level documentation including specifications, interface control documents, and system design descriptions
- Support requirements analysis, verification, and validation activities
- Identify and assess technical risks; perform system-level FMEA and support reliability engineering
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams (electrical, mechanical, software) on system integration
- Communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Participate in customer meetings, design reviews, and project status updates
Requirements:
- U.S. Person status required (access to export-controlled data)
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
- Minimum 3+ years of experience working on complex hardware systems (spacecraft preferred) or technical capture management
- Experience in satellite manufacturing or related industries (aerospace, defense, high-tech) strongly preferred
- Strong understanding of space systems, launch vehicle mechanics, orbital dynamics, and mission operations
- Experience working with prime contractors or government entities
- Experience with CubeSat, small satellite, or rideshare mission integration
- Familiarity with flight software, embedded systems, and space communications protocols (CCSDS, S-band, X-band, etc.)
- Previous spacecraft, launch vehicle, or payload engineering experience
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and office productivity tools
- Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or other mission analysis tools
- Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and managing timelines in fast-paced environments
- Strong organizational and multitasking abilities with ability to prioritize and adapt to changing demands
- Strong interpersonal skills for cross-team collaboration
- High attention to detail with focus on delivering concise, technical review content
- Ability to work in dynamic, fast-changing environment with shifting priorities and deadlines
