Senior Propulsion Engineer

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.

Apex is seeking a seasoned spacecraft Electric Propulsion Engineer to join our closely integrated team, driving the development of our propulsion systems to meet the requirements of our spacecraft bus. You will have the opportunity to approach this from a clean-sheet design, guiding propulsion system architecture, integration, and testing to ensure optimal performance.

Responsibilities:

• Design electric propulsion system architecture, develop product specifications, and maintain Technical Performance Metrics (TPMs) including power and mass budgets.

• Define placement and integration of an electric propulsion system architecture

• Documenting and maintaining detailed work instructions, process flow diagrams, assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) procedures for manufacturing operations.

• Establish engine degradation model, perform filtration analysis, and demonstrate compliance to dedicated propulsion budgets (leak, power, thermal, etc.)

• Design high pressure fluidic systems, fluid system instrumentation, and control components (i.e. tanks, regulators, pressure transducers, thermocouples, solenoid valves, etc.)

• Develop qualification and acceptance test plans and support said tests per approved procedures. Testing includes environmental testing such as vibration, shock, and TVAC.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate propulsion systems with other subsystems (e.g., electrical, thermal, structure).

• Troubleshoot anomalies that arise during manufacturing, lead investigation efforts, and ensure design for manufacturability (DFM) approaches are followed during all stages of development

• Directly interface with customer/supplier relationships, conduct analyses, and provide support (either virtual or onsite) as necessary.

• Decompose SSCMAN 91-710 document into Requirements Verification Matrix (RVM), tailor requirements as necessary, and conduct Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) for internal personnel and facility safety.

• Conduct trade studies for electric propulsion components and suppliers, work with supply chain on quotation process, and manage vendors in the supply chain.

• Contribute to proposals and business development efforts as needed.

Requirements:

• U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export controlled data.

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electric propulsion, or other aerospace-related engineering discipline.

• 6+ years of propulsion design and test experience

• Experience with handling and testing pressurized systems

• Strong knowledge of propulsion, spacecraft systems, and range safety (SSCMAN 91-710) requirements.

• 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.)

• Experience with CAD software
  
  NX, Solid Works)

• Working knowledge for manufacturing in a clean environment and following AS9100 protocols

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's or Ph.D in mechanical, electric propulsion, or other aerospace-related engineering discipline

• Experience operating leak, burst, proof test facilities

• Experience leading an electric propulsion hot-fire test campaign including (high-voltage power and fluid delivery…