Apex
aerospace
SeniorMechanicalEngineer(Propulsion)
“Senior Mechanical Engineer (Propulsion) at Apex. Skills: mechanical design of propulsion system hardware, fluid system development, flight hardware qualification, analysis and testing of propulsion hardware, CAD modeling and GD&T, structural and vibration analysis, propulsion hardware testing. Own the mechanical design of propulsion system hardware and its integration into propulsion modules, including thrusters, PPUs, manifolds, flow control hardware, high-pressure propellant lines, and tanks. ”
What You'll Achieve.
deliver robust, repeatable propulsion hardware designed for production spacecraft; satisfy propulsion subsystem requirements across performance, safety, and environmental constraints; support launch loads, thermal cycling, and long-duration on-orbit operation; support future builds and scalable production
Industry & Context.
Diagnose test anomalies related to propulsion system testing and drive corrective action and design iteration; Contribute to failure analysis
Support launch campaigns, on-orbit performance evaluation, anomaly resolution
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, 8+ years of experience delivering mechanical and/or fluid system hardware, foundation in fluid mechanics, including compressible and/or rarefied gas flow, pressure drop/flow control, and cleanliness/contamination control, Experience designing and developing pressurized fluid systems, Proficiency with CAD tools (NX preferred), Comfortable owning hardware from concept through qualification and flight, interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams
Nice to Have
Experience with electric propulsion systems (Hall thrusters, ion thrusters, or related EP), Experience with spacecraft propellant feed systems and/or xenon (or alternative EP propellants), Familiarity with propulsion testing in vacuum facilities and vacuum system gas behavior, Prior flight hardware experience
What You'll Do.
Own the mechanical design of propulsion system hardware and its integration into propulsion modules
flow control hardware
high-pressure propellant lines
Perform analysis and testing to satisfy propulsion subsystem requirements across performance
and environmental constraints
Design propulsion module structures and housings
plasma-facing components
and mechanical interfaces
Perform structural and vibration analyses to support launch loads
and long-duration on-orbit operation
Generate and maintain CAD models
and GD&T for flight hardware
Support manufacturing
and integration of propulsion and fluid hardware
Plan and execute propulsion hardware testing
including vacuum testing
proof pressure testing
and thermal vacuum qualification
Diagnose test anomalies related to propulsion system testing and drive corrective action and design iteration
Contribute to failure analysis and continuous design improvements to support future builds and scalable production
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
work closely with propulsion, thermal, avionics, and systems engineering teams; Partner with systems engineering on requirements, margins, and subsystem interfaces; work effectively across multidisciplinary teams
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