Chemical Propulsion Engineer Seen this week
About the Role
Apex is seeking a Chemical Propulsion Engineer to join our team and drive development of chemical propulsion systems for our spacecraft bus. You will approach this from clean-sheet design and be one of the first chemical propulsion engineers at Apex, helping build our chemical propulsion capabilities, team, and infrastructure from the ground up.
Responsibilities
- Design, build, and test chemical propulsion systems
- Design and build propulsion infrastructure and test facilities
- Design propulsion system architecture, develop product specifications, and maintain Technical Performance Metrics (TPMs)
- Develop qualification and acceptance test plans and support said testing
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate propulsion systems with other subsystems (electrical, thermal, structure)
- Troubleshoot anomalies during manufacturing, lead investigation efforts, and ensure design for manufacturability (DFM) approaches are followed
- Interface with customer and supplier relationships, conduct analyses, and provide support as necessary
- Contribute to proposals and business development efforts as needed
Requirements
- U.S. Person status required due to export controlled data access
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, propulsion, or aerospace-related engineering discipline
- 3+ years of propulsion design and test experience
- Experience with mono and bi-propellant chemical propulsion systems
- Experience with handling and testing pressurized systems
- Demonstrated history of designing fluidic systems, fluid system instrumentation, and control components (tanks, regulators, pressure transducers, thermocouples, solenoid valves)
- Experience with CAD software (NX, SolidWorks)
- Working knowledge of manufacturing in clean environments and AS9100 protocols
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's in mechanical, propulsion, or aerospace-related engineering discipline
- Experience operating leak, burst, proof test facilities
- Experience leading hot-fire test campaigns (power and fluid delivery systems, data acquisition systems, thrust stands, plume diagnostics)
- Experience with chemical propulsion operations in space
What We Offer
- Equity in Apex
- 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and dependents, plus $100k life insurance
- Comprehensive PTO starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays
- Competitive 401(k) plan with 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
- Monthly office socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and family gatherings
- Equipment and tools for productivity
- In-person collaboration at Playa Vista office with work-life flexibility