Materials Engineer; Organics

Position: Staff Materials Engineer (Organics)
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. About the Role Apex is looking for a Materials and Processes (M&P) Engineer who can collaborate across engineering and production teams, and own the success selection and qualification of organic materials essential for our satellite operations. The M&P engineer will define product requirements, inform material and design trades, perform analyses and testing on materials, drive test campaigns, and develop a materials database and usage list.

You will validate decisions through prototypes and build and qualify flight hardware as we scale volume.

Responsibilities:

Own the qualification of new organic materials, parts and processes to meet all relevant space and factory environment requirements. Manage related tests and process controls, and audit and qualify suppliers to applicable requirements

Develop and maintain a company wide Approved Materials and Processes List for organic materials, including approved suppliers, formulations, product revisions, application limitations, shelf-life requirements, storage conditions, and qualification status

Support definition of engineering requirements to develop, select, or recommend parts, materials, processes, manufacturing technologies, machinery, tools, and automation systems used in product design and manufacturing in accordance with contractual and regulatory obligations

Assist in supplier qualification activities and respond to routine supplier technical inquiries. Escalate complex supplier or production issues to senior management

Perform analyses to characterize performance or determine causes of tool, material, part, or process failures. Recommend corrective actions for senior review

Coordinate and support lab activities and compile test data for interpretation and disposition

Use project management practices to meet cost, technical, and schedule requirements for assigned tasks

Support creation and revision of material/process specifications, work instructions, and test plans

Support investigations of non-conformances and supplier deviations

Collect evidence, perform basic root-cause analysis, and draft corrective action recommendations

Maintain engineering records (test reports, engineering orders) and support configuration control and design reviews as required

Communicate technical findings clearly to cross-functional teams and stakeholders

Requirements:

U.S. Persons status is required as this position requires access to export-controlled data Bachelor’s in mechanical, materials, physics, aerospace, or relevant engineering
10+ years of industry experience demonstrating a strong foundation in materials science and engineering principles

Engineering experience with qualifying typical Aerospace non-metallics (e.g. adhesives, epoxies, potting compounds, staking compounds, conformal coatings, RTV/silicones, Elastomers, Plastics, Thermal interface materials, thermal working fluids, Thermal-control…