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Apex manufactures satellite buses (spacecraft platforms) at scale for commercial and government missions. The company combines software, vertical integration, and hardware design to enable payloads across earth observation, communications, and national security applications.
As a Space Vehicle Systems Engineer, you will own system-level design, integration, and verification for a classified satellite program supporting national security missions. You'll define spacecraft architecture from mission objectives, allocate and trace requirements to subsystem level, and ensure all elements operate as a coherent vehicle.
Key responsibilities include:
- Define and manage spacecraft-level architecture and requirements with full lifecycle traceability
- Lead system-level trade studies, risk analyses, and simulations to guide design decisions across performance, cost, and schedule
- Develop and maintain system documentation including specifications, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and technical budgets
- Coordinate subsystem integration across electrical, mechanical, thermal, and software domains
- Analyze test and integration data, isolate anomalies, and drive resolution
- Identify technical risks, develop mitigation plans, and support FMEA efforts
- Present at major program reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) ensuring technical readiness
- Align technical activities to program schedules and advise leadership on cost-driving decisions
- Engage directly with government customers and partners to capture requirements and resolve technical issues
- Communicate complex concepts to engineering and non-technical audiences
- Contribute lessons learned and standardized practices for future missions
You'll serve as a technical anchor between internal engineering teams, government customers, and external payload partners, translating requirements and driving disciplined execution. This is a broad, hands-on role requiring fluidity between deep technical analysis, cross-disciplinary coordination, and customer-facing communication.
Requirements: Active Top Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance required. Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field (advanced degree preferred). 5+ years systems engineering experience in spacecraft, aerospace, or defense hardware. Strong grounding in systems engineering principles, requirements management, and V&V methodologies. Working knowledge of spacecraft subsystems (attitude control, power, thermal, propulsion, communications, command and data handling). Proficiency in requirements management tools (DOORS, Jira, SysML). Knowledge of INCOSE standards and NASA guidelines. Experience with mission analysis tools (Python, MATLAB, STK, GMAT, FreeFlyer) preferred. Familiarity with space communications protocols (CCSDS, S-band, X-band) preferred. Prior experience with government customers, prime contractors, or DoD reviews strongly preferred. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and excellent communication abilities.
