Lead Propulsion Test 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. 

About the Role

Apex is seeking a Lead Propulsion Test Engineer to build and lead the team responsible for testing the propulsion hardware that flies on every Apex spacecraft. Your team will own the test infrastructure used to develop, characterize, qualify, and acceptance test thrusters, flow controllers, PPUs, and integrated propulsion systems, from development test stands through production-scale vacuum test capability.

This is a hands-on technical and people leadership role. You will grow and develop a team of test engineers and technicians, own the design and buildout of propulsion test infrastructure, and be accountable for test capacity, throughput, data quality, and safety. As Apex scales propulsion production, you will build the systems, processes, and infrastructure that allow test to scale with it.

Responsibilities:

• Build, lead, and develop a team of propulsion test engineers and technicians, setting a high bar for safety, technical rigor, execution, and ownership.

• Own the design, build, and operation of test stands for thrusters, flow controllers, PPUs, and integrated propulsion systems, including fluid and electrical GSE, instrumentation, diagnostics, data acquisition, and controls.

• Own Apex’s propulsion vacuum test infrastructure, including chambers, pumping systems, thermal and cryogenic capability, instrumentation, maintenance, and capacity planning.

• Develop scalable acceptance test (ATP) infrastructure and processes that support high-rate propulsion production.

• Own propulsion test capacity, scheduling, throughput, data quality, and turnaround across development, qualification, and production test campaigns.

• Establish and enforce test safety standards for vacuum, high-pressure, high-voltage, and other hazardous operations, including procedures, training, and test readiness reviews.

• Partner with Environmental Test and Ground Software to standardize test tooling, automation, data acquisition, and infrastructure across Apex.

• Work closely with propulsion component teams, propulsion module teams, Systems Engineering, Production, Quality, and Facilities to define test requirements and ensure results are traceable and actionable.

• Support development testing, qualification, production acceptance, launch campaigns, and anomaly resolution, including leading root-cause investigations when issues arise.

• Own test infrastructure budgets, vendors, build-vs-buy decisions, and long-term capacity planning as propulsion production scales.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, or a related technical field.

• 10+ years of test engineering experience with significant experience testing propulsion, vacuum, or other high-energy hardware.

• Experience designing, building, and commissioning test stands or test facilities, including instrumentation, data acquisition, controls, and GSE.

• Hands-on experience with vacuum test facilities, including pumping systems, chamber operations, and vacuum instrumentation.

• Demonstrated experience leading and developing engineers and/or technicians.

• Strong understanding of test safety for vacuum, high-pressure, high-voltage, and hazardous operations.

• Experience owning test schedules, capacity, throughput, and data quality for complex hardware programs.

• Strong cross-functional communication skills with the ability to work across design engineering, software, production, quality, facilities, and leadership.

• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual) as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15).

Nice to Have:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in a related engineering field.

• Experience testing electric propulsion hardware, including thrusters, cathodes, flow controllers, or PPUs.

• Experience with plasma or plume diagnostics, thrust measurement, and electric propulsion performance characterization.

• Experience building or scaling test infrastructure for high-rate hardware production, including production acceptance testing.

• Experience with automated test systems, standardized data acquisition, and ground software.

• Experience with environmental testing, including vibration, TVAC, or EMI/EMC.

• Experience with range safety, pressure systems, or related requirements such as SSCMAN/AFSPCMAN 91-710.

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 Why Join Apex?

Apex believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day. Our employees love working at Apex, and we want you to love it too. We're a fast-growing startup that has raised more than $500M in funding, and we invest heavily in our people from day one.

What We Offer For Full-time Employees:

• 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 socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and 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 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

Additional Information:

Compensation ranges are set by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. A candidate's specific level and base pay are determined case by case and may vary with job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities, and internal equity. Beyond base salary, full-time hires are also eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options, along with medical, dental, and vision coverage and a 401(k) retirement plan.

ITAR Requirements

Apex's work is governed by U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). To be eligible for this role, applicants must either (1) qualify as a U.S. Person, meaning a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), a refugee admitted under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or an individual granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or (2) be able to obtain the required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce, or another applicable U.S. government agency. You can learn more about ITAR here.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Apex Technology, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.