Senior Materials Engineer (Organics)

Apex Technology, Inc.•Los Angeles, CA

11d•$155,000 - $185,000•Onsite

About The Position

Apex is seeking a Materials and Processes (M&P) Engineer to collaborate across engineering and production teams and own the selection and qualification of organic materials used in satellite operations. The role defines product requirements, informs material and design trades, conducts material analyses and testing, leads test campaigns, and develops a materials database and usage list. The engineer will validate decisions through prototypes and build and qualify flight hardware as production scales. The position involves qualifying organic materials, parts, and processes for space and factory environments; maintaining an approved materials and processes list; supporting engineering requirements and supplier qualification; analyzing failures; coordinating laboratory activities; and maintaining technical records and specifications. The engineer uses project management practices to meet assigned cost, technical, and schedule requirements and communicates findings to cross-functional teams and stakeholders. The position requires U.S. Person status or the ability to obtain applicable export authorizations. Apex describes its workplace as an in-person Playa Vista office with flexibility to integrate work and life. Full-time employees receive equity or stock-option incentives, healthcare and other benefits.

Requirements

U.S. Person status is required for access to export-controlled data, or applicants must be able to obtain required export authorizations.
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, materials, physics, aerospace, or a relevant engineering discipline.
Seven or more years of industry experience demonstrating a strong foundation in materials science and engineering principles.
Engineering experience qualifying typical aerospace non-metallics, such as adhesives, epoxies, potting and staking compounds, conformal coatings, RTV/silicones, elastomers, plastics, thermal interface materials, thermal working fluids, thermal-control paints/coatings, lubricants, composite materials, films and tapes, and insulation materials.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, Polymers, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
Engineering experience with materials in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability manufacturing development lifecycles.
Deep understanding of adhesives and thermal materials.
Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as wire bonding, heat treatment, surface modification, thermal coatings, and interface materials.
Knowledge of fracture mechanics, fluid compatibility, statistics, and failure analysis.

Responsibilities

Own qualification of new organic materials, parts, and processes for relevant space and factory environment requirements; manage related testing and process controls, and audit and qualify suppliers.
Develop and maintain a company-wide Approved Materials and Processes List for organic materials, including suppliers, formulations, revisions, limitations, shelf life, storage conditions, and qualification status.
Support definition of engineering requirements for parts, materials, processes, manufacturing technologies, machinery, tools, and automation systems in accordance with contractual and regulatory obligations.
Assist with supplier qualification and respond to routine supplier technical inquiries; escalate complex supplier or production issues to senior management.
Analyze material, part, tool, or process performance and failures; recommend corrective actions for senior review.
Coordinate and support laboratory 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 and 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, including test reports and engineering orders, and support configuration control and design reviews.
Communicate technical findings clearly to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Benefits

Equity in Apex; full-time hires are eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options.
Company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
$100,000 life insurance at no cost.
Vacation starting at 15 days and growing to 20 or more days annually, plus 10 paid holidays.
401(k) plan with a 100% match on the first 3% and a 50% match on the next 2%.
Eight weeks of paid parental leave.
Childcare reimbursement up to $350 per day for work-related travel.
Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks.
Office socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and gatherings for employees and their families.
Tools for a personalized desk setup.
In-person collaboration at the Playa Vista office, with flexibility to integrate work and life.