Senior Mission Integration 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 seeking a dynamic, organized, and driven Senior
Mission Integration Engineer to join our expanding team. As a company at the forefront of space exploration and satellite technology, Apex is looking for an individual capable of independently owning complex spacecraft analysis and serving as the primary liaison between our customers and technical teams to ensure mission success. The Senior Mission Integration Engineer is also responsible for acting as a generalist across our programs to support customer mission integration.

Responsibilities:

• Define end-to-end mission architecture, including spacecraft, launch vehicle, ground systems, and operations per customer requirements

• Lead space vehicle I&T planning and execution including payload integration, spacecraft level environmental test, and launch vehicle integration

• Perform mission analysis, including orbital mechanics, trajectory planning, and spacecraft deployment strategies

• Serve as the primary technical liaison between internal technical teams and customers

• Lead execution of coupled loads analysis (CLA), thermal analysis, and 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

• Work with mission operations teams to track and maintain spacecraft in its operational orbit

• Lead the development of technical documentation, integration procedures, and lessons learned to improve future missions

• Work with engineering, business development, and external partners to shape future missions

• Lead the technical support of 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 to ensure compliance with customer needs and industry standards.

• Identify and assess technical risks associated with system design, development, and operation

• Perform system-level failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and support reliability engineering efforts

• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including electrical, mechanical, and software engineers, to ensure system integration and performance.

• Communicate technical concepts, requirements, and issues clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Lead Apex technical support of customer meetings, design reviews, and project status updates.

Requirements:

• U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export controlled data.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

• At least 8+ 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) is 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 Cube Sat, small satellite, or rideshare…