Propulsion R&D Build Engineer

Apex Space•Los Angeles, CA

37d•Onsite

About The Position

Apex is seeking a Propulsion R&D Build Engineer who will be highly hands-on and focused on the development of production tooling and bringing up new manufacturing capabilities. The candidate will be expected to work extensively on the shop floor, developing, deploying, and iterating on novel build processes and hardware for satellite propulsion systems.

Requirements

U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export-controlled data.
Experience with building and testing pressurized systems
Ability to decompose supplier ICDs and communicate requirements to responsible engineering disciplines
Demonstrated history of designing fluidic systems, fluid system instrumentation, and control components (i.e., tanks, regulators, pressure transducers, thermocouples, solenoid valves, etc.)
Strong bias toward hands-on engineering: physical build, tool design, and process bring-up.
Demonstrated experience with fluid handling systems, pressure vessel proof and burst testing, and associated harnessing and panel setups.
Direct experience in orbital tube welding (setup, operation, and qualification) and CNC tube bending for aerospace-grade fluid systems.
Bachelor's or advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering, plus 5+ years of hands-on development work for propulsion systems.
Comfort with shop-floor environments, rapid prototyping tools, and iterative development with production teams.
Strong communication skills; able to translate build requirements into actionable designs and instructions for production.

Nice To Haves

7+ years of hands-on development work for propulsion systems.
Experience building spacecraft propulsion systems and associated tooling
Experience operating leak, burst, and proof test facilities
Experience leading an electric propulsion hot-fire test campaign
Experience with high-voltage power and fluid delivery systems for ground test, data acquisition systems, thrust stands, and plasma diagnostics is a plus
Experience with electric propulsion operations in space
Experience operating leak, burst, and proof test facilities
Familiarity with qualification testing, system safety protocols, and technical documentation throughout the manufacturing lifecycle.

Responsibilities

Drive hands-on development and prototyping of electric and chemical propulsion systems, supporting build work and performance validation in the lab.
Design and build tooling for production and test, enabling scalable manufacturing of spacecraft propulsion hardware-including jigs, fixtures, diagnostic stands, and automation tools.
Develop, commission, and validate new fluid system capabilities, such as proof and burst test panels and rapid test setups for pressure vessels.
Lead the establishment and bring-up of advanced manufacturing processes, specifically orbital tube welding and CNC tube bending for high-reliability aerospace assemblies.
Support the integration of propulsion subsystems into satellite platforms, ensuring both theoretical and hands-on understanding of manufacturing, assembly, and test operations.
Troubleshoot and optimize manufacturing workflows, collaborating with technicians and engineers to resolve build challenges and improve throughput.
Mentor and train production and build teams on new tooling, processes, and capabilities as they come online.
Support and participate in ground and flight test campaigns for new propulsion products and processes.

Benefits

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 recharge - starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays
Competitive 401(k) plan with generous matching - 100% match on first 3%, 50% on next 2%
8 weeks paid parental leave plus childcare reimbursement up to $350/day for work-related travel
Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks to keep you fueled throughout the day
Vibrant community: Monthly office BBQs, pickleball tournaments, run club, and social gatherings for you and your family
Your dream desk setup and all the tools you need to be your most productive self
World-class Playa Vista office with EV chargers, with the benefit of in-person collaboration with amazing coworkers and flexibility to integrate work and life
Real impact opportunity: Work alongside experts from aerospace, new space, and other cutting-edge industries to make a lasting difference