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Apex manufactures satellite buses (commercial spacecraft platforms) at scale, combining software, vertical integration, and hardware designed for manufacturing. The company enables earth observation, communications, and other space-based applications.
The Mission Integration team transforms Apex's foundational spacecraft platform into the backbone of customer missions. As a Staff Mission Integration Engineer specializing in Space Vehicle Design, you will serve as the primary technical liaison between customers and internal engineering teams, owning end-to-end mission architecture and system integration.
Key Responsibilities:
• Define end-to-end mission architecture for complex mission sets, including spacecraft, launch vehicle, ground systems, and operations per customer requirements.
• Lead technical inputs to proposals by defining technical approaches, feasibility studies, and cost estimates.
• Perform architecture trades through mission analysis, including orbital mechanics, trajectory planning, and spacecraft deployment strategies.
• Serve as primary technical liaison between internal teams and customers, communicating technical concepts and requirements to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Lead technical discussions in customer meetings, design reviews, and project status updates.
• Lead cross-functional efforts across electrical, mechanical, and software engineers to ensure system integration and performance.
• Develop and maintain customer system-level documentation, including specifications, interface control documents, and system design descriptions.
• Generate mission-specific technical budgets (power, mass, data, pointing, etc.).
• Analyze coupled loads analysis (CLA) and thermal analysis results; perform electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) assessments.
• Perform system-level failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and support reliability engineering.
• Develop bus-to-payload communication architecture and support space vehicle-level test execution.
• Plan and execute final integrated space vehicle systems testing.
• Travel to launch sites for vehicle integration, system checkouts, and launch rehearsals.
• Work with mission operations teams to track and maintain spacecraft in operational orbit.
• Lead requirements analysis, verification, and validation activities.
• Identify and assess technical risks associated with system design, development, and operation.
• Collaborate with engineering, business development, and external partners to shape future missions.
Requirements:
• U.S. Person status (required for access to export-controlled data under ITAR).
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 12+ years of experience working on complex hardware systems (spacecraft preferred) or technical capture management.
• Experience in satellite manufacturing or related industries (aerospace, defense, or high-tech).
• Strong understanding of space systems, launch vehicle mechanics, orbital dynamics, and mission operations.
• 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 communication and organizational skills with ability to prioritize and adapt to shifting demands.
• High attention to detail with focus on delivering concise, technical review content.
Preferred:
• Previous spacecraft, launch vehicle, or payload engineering experience.
• Experience with CubeSat, small satellite, or rideshare mission integration.
• Experience working with prime contractors or government entities.
• Familiarity with flight software, embedded systems, and space communications protocols (CCSDS, S-band, X-band, etc.).
