Spacecraft Dynamics Engineer

Spacecraft represent the most pressing unmet need across the entire aerospace industry. As more launch vehicles come online and the cost to orbit decreases, more companies launching payloads to space continue to emerge.

For the first time in history, this influx of payload companies combined with reduced launch costs has resulted in a massive increase in need for commercial spacecraft platforms, known as satellite buses. These buses hold the payloads of our customers and are flown on launch vehicles.

Apex manufactures these satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware that is designed for manufacturing. Our spacecraft enable the future of society: ranging from earth observation to communications and more.

We’d love for you to join us on our mission of providing humankind access to the galaxy beyond our planet.

Apex is looking for a Spacecraft Dynamics Engineer to own dynamic analysis and vehicle response across our spacecraft. This role is responsible for predicting and validating how our hardware behaves across all phases of flight, from ground and launch environments through on-orbit operations. You’ll work across structures, test, and systems teams to ensure our vehicles are robust to vibration, shock, acoustics, and coupled loads.

Responsibilities:

• Own dynamic and loads analysis across components, subsystems, and full spacecraft

• Expertise in CLA, load derivation and structural verification

• Develop load cases and environmental requirements (quasi-static, random vibration, shock, acoustics)

• Predict vehicle response across launch, deployment, and on-orbit conditions

• Perform structural dynamics analyses using FEM and analytical methods to evaluate loads, margins, and system behavior

• Build and assemble coupled system models across spacecraft and launch vehicle interfaces

• Plan and execute dynamic test campaigns, including vibration and mode survey testing, from setup through data validation and model correlation

• Process and analyze test and flight data to validate models and improve prediction accuracy

• Evaluate analytical predictions against test and flight data and drive improvements to loads methodologies

• Develop internal tools and workflows (Python, MATLAB, or similar) for simulation, data processing, and signal analysis

• Partner cross functionally with design, test, and manufacturing teams to influence hardware and ensure requirements are met

• Provide technical leadership on complex dynamics problems and mentor more junior engineers

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related engineering field

• 1+ years of experience in structural dynamics, loads, or environment prediction

• Strong fundamentals in vibration, shock, transient response, and frequency-domain analysis

• Experience with finite element modeling and analysis (NASTRAN, FEMAP, or similar)

• Strong background in linear algebra, numerical methods, and dynamic system modeling

• Experience with telemetry, test, or flight data processing and correlation

• Experience developing simulation tools and performing high-speed data and signal processing

• Ability to communicate complex dynamics concepts clearly across engineering teams

• Proven ability to operate in fast-paced, high-ownership environments

Nice to have:

• Experience with spacecraft or launch vehicle coupled loads analysis

• Hands-on experience with vibration, shock, or mode survey testing

• Familiarity with industry standards (GSFC, MIL-STD, etc.)

• Experience with flexible body dynamics or separation events

• Experience building internal tools or automating analysis workflows

Apex believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day. Our employees love working at Apex, and we want you to love it too. We're a fast-growing startup backed by $200M in Series D funding, and we invest heavily in our people from day one.

• Shared upside: Receive equity in Apex, letting you benefit from the work you create

• Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents, plus $100k life insurance at no cost

• Comprehensive PTO package to reset and…