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.
Responsibilities:
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- Develop mechanical designs and 3D models for payload hardware, mounting structures, brackets, enclosures, and supporting components.
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- Own mechanical payload integration from initial concept and interface definition through design, manufacturing, assembly, and test.
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- Define and manage mechanical interfaces between payloads, spacecraft structures, and other vehicle subsystems.
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- Perform structural analysis and hand calculations to ensure payload hardware meets strength, stiffness, mass, and environmental requirements.
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- Optimize designs for mass, manufacturability, assembly, reliability, and spacecraft-level performance.
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- Develop detailed engineering drawings, GD&T, interface control documentation, and hardware specifications.
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- Evaluate and select appropriate materials, fasteners, coatings, and manufacturing processes for flight hardware.
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- Collaborate with payload, structures, thermal, avionics, RF, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams to resolve integration challenges.
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- Work directly with manufacturing and suppliers to support hardware fabrication and resolve issues.
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- Support hands-on assembly, integration, and testing (AIT) of payload and spacecraft hardware.
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- Develop and execute environmental testing, including vibration, shock, static, and thermal vacuum testing.
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- Troubleshoot mechanical issues during manufacturing, integration, and test and drive problems to resolution.
Requirements:
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- U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export controlled data.
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- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
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- 2+ years of experience designing and developing mechanical hardware.
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- Proficiency in CAD software for 3D modeling and drafting (e.g., NX, SolidWorks).
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- Strong understanding of mechanical design fundamentals, including structural design, material selection, fasteners, and tolerance analysis.
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- Experience developing engineering drawings and applying GD&T.
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- Experience designing mechanical hardware for spacecraft, satellites, aerospace, or other high-reliability systems.
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- Experience with payload mechanical design and spacecraft-level payload integration.
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- Experience taking hardware through the full development lifecycle from concept through manufacturing, integration, and test.
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- Experience with structural analysis, including hand calculations and finite element analysis (FEA).
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- Familiarity with aerospace manufacturing processes, including CNC machining, sheet metal, composites, and additive manufacturing.
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- Experience with environmental testing, including vibration, shock, static, and thermal vacuum testing.