Lead Mechanical Engineer, Structures

Apex Technology, Inc.•Los Angeles, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Apex is looking for a Lead Structures Engineer to support our current and next generation satellites. This person will own the design, development, and delivery of flight-critical spacecraft structural systems from concept through on-orbit operation. This role will drive architecture, analysis, hardware execution, and cross-functional integration for primary and secondary structures, load-bearing assemblies, and structural interfaces. You will operate with high ownership, leading complex hardware programs while partnering closely with thermal, avionics, propulsion, mechanisms, and manufacturing teams to deliver reliable, production-ready systems at scale.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or related field)
5+ years of experience designing and delivering structural or mechanical systems
1+ years of professional experience leadinging technical teams and/or projects
Experience owning hardware from concept through test or production
Strong fundamentals in structural analysis, mechanical design, and system integration
Experience designing lightweight aerospace structures, load-bearing assemblies, composite or metallic structures, and structural interfaces
Proficiency with CAD (NX, CATIA, SolidWorks) and FEA tools (ANSYS, Nastran, Abaqus, etc.)
Experience developing and executing structural test campaigns
Demonstrated ability to move quickly, take ownership, and solve complex problems in fast-paced environments
Experience working with suppliers and managing external partners
Exposure to spacecraft, launch vehicles, or other high-performance hardware systems

Nice To Haves

Experience with spacecraft or aerospace structural systems
Familiarity with environmental testing (vibe, shock, thermal vacuum)
Hands-on experience with machining, assembly, integration, or hardware bring-up
Familiarity with composite design, bonded structures, or lightweighting strategies
Scripting or analysis tools (Python, MATLAB, etc.)

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end design of spacecraft structural systems (primary structure, secondary structure, brackets, panels, and interfaces) from concept through flight, including architecture, requirements, CAD, drawings, and specifications
Drive trade studies (mass, stiffness, strength, manufacturability, reliability), make-vs.-buy decisions, and supplier execution while partnering cross-functionally (thermal, propulsion, avionics, GNC, manufacturing) to deliver fully integrated systems
Perform first-principles analysis and FEA (static, dynamic, modal, thermal distortion, and load path analysis) to size and validate spacecraft structural components and assemblies
Develop and execute structural test plans (development, qualification, acceptance), including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, and static load testing; analyze results and iterate designs based on data and flight feedback
Own hardware through build, integration, and test, diagnosing issues quickly and driving solutions in fast-paced, hands-on environments
Lead a small team through design reviews, set technical direction, and mentor engineers while driving decisions that balance performance, risk, schedule, and manufacturability