---
title: 'Lead Propulsion Integration Engineer at Apex Technology, Inc.'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/lead-propulsion-integration-engineer-apex-technology-inc-los-angeles-tpas8yzfg38a'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-11'
---

# Lead Propulsion Integration Engineer at Apex Technology, Inc.

- **Company:** [Apex Technology, Inc.](https://feeny.ai/companies/apex-technology-inc)
- **Location:** Los Angeles, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-09-30
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-11
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/apex-technology-inc/de595eca-b026-4c5a-9415-c862b9a3ef4e

## Job description

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 Integration Engineer to own the propulsion modules that fly on our spacecraft, from initial vehicle requirements through design, integration, servicing, and launch. You will lead the engineers responsible for turning spacecraft and mission requirements into complete, flight-ready propulsion modules. That includes tank selection and sizing, module structure and mounting, feed-system architecture and routing, electrical and fluid interfaces, and ensuring the final design meets mass, cost, power, structural, and vehicle-level requirements. This is a hands-on technical leadership role. You'll set the architecture and engineering standards for propulsion module integration, develop the team, and stay close to the hardware as we scale production. Your team will also own spacecraft propellant servicing, including fill and drain operations, ground support equipment, procedures, and range compliance.

## Responsibilities

- Lead and develop the propulsion module integration team, setting a high bar for technical rigor, ownership, and execution.
- Own propulsion module architecture across Apex's spacecraft platforms, including tank selection, module structure, mounting, feed-system routing, and vehicle interfaces.
- Translate vehicle and mission requirements into complete propulsion module designs, including propellant and delta-v budgets.
- Deliver flight-ready modules within allocated mass, cost, and power while meeting vehicle requirements and ICDs.
- Ensure module structures and interfaces meet structural, environmental, and verification requirements.
- Own spacecraft propellant servicing, including fill/drain operations, procedures, ground support equipment, and safe execution.
- Ensure hazardous servicing operations meet applicable range requirements, including SSCMAN 91-710, and maintain required safety documentation and approvals.
- Drive design for manufacturing, integration, test, and serviceability so propulsion modules can be built and processed efficiently at production rate.
- Partner closely with systems, structures, thermal, avionics, power, propulsion component teams, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program management.
- Support vehicle integration, test, launch campaigns, and anomaly resolution, including leading root-cause investigations when issues arise.
- Communicate technical status, risks, trades, and plans to engineering and company leadership.

## Requirements

- Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual) as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15)
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, propulsion engineering, or a related technical field.
- 10+ years of experience in spacecraft propulsion, mechanical/fluid systems, propulsion integration, or related hardware development.
- Experience leading engineers as a technical lead, people manager, or both.
- Strong experience with propulsion module and feed-system design, including tank sizing and selection, structural integration, fluid routing, and component selection.
- Experience owning hardware against vehicle-level requirements, ICDs, and mass, cost, and power budgets.
- Hands-on experience with spacecraft propellant servicing, including fill/drain operations, procedures, and ground support equipment.
- Working knowledge of range safety requirements for hazardous spacecraft operations.
- Proven experience taking flight propulsion hardware from design through build, integration, test, and launch.
- Strong cross-functional communication skills and the ability to represent propulsion in vehicle-level technical and program decisions.

## Preferred Requirements

- Master's degree in mechanical, aerospace, propulsion engineering, or a related field.
- Experience with both chemical and electric propulsion systems and propellant servicing, including xenon or krypton loading.
- Experience transitioning propulsion modules or feed systems into serial or high-rate production.
- Experience authoring hazardous operations procedures and supporting range approval processes.
- Familiarity with propellant compatibility, cleanliness, and contamination control requirements.
- Experience owning subsystem schedule, budget, and technical risk.

## #LI-MO1

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: Starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays
- Competitive 401(k) plan: 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: 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](https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987).

## 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.

## About Apex Technology, Inc.

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Apex designs and manufactures productized, configurable satellite bus platforms at high rate to eliminate the production bottleneck for proliferated commercial and government constellations.
- **Entity Type**: Private (growth-stage; raised $200M+ in June 2026 at $2.3B valuation)
- **Headquarters**: Los Angeles, California, USA
- **Founded**: 2022
- **Founders**: Ian Cinnamon and Max Benassi

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Aerospace / Satellite Manufacturing
- **Target customers**: B2B – commercial satellite operators, government agencies (U.S. DoD, Space Force, NASA), and prime defense contractors.
- **Mission statement**: To redefine how satellites are designed and manufactured, enabling customers to rapidly deploy critical constellations by eliminating the satellite production bottleneck.

## Products & Services
- **Aries**: A productized satellite bus platform for small-to-medium payloads. First Aries satellite launched in 2024 and continues operating in LEO. Supports payloads up to ~150 kg (estimated).
- **Nova**: A medium-class configurable bus designed for missions such as the Project Shadow space-based interceptor demonstration. Launching summer 2026.
- **Comet**: A large satellite bus supporting payloads up to 3,000 kg, including a recently announced “Mini” configuration. Suitable for GEO and heavy LEO missions.
- **End-to-End Mission Services**: Payload integration, space vehicle analysis, and on-orbit commissioning support.
- **Octopus**: Proprietary operating system that integrates inventory management, production scheduling, and assembly work instructions into a single dynamic environment.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: $2.3 billion (June 2026)
- **Key Metric**: Total funding – $200M+ in latest growth round (June 2026); cumulative funding reported as $870.4M (Datanyze). Annual revenue not publicly available.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Glade Brook Capital Partners (lead), Washington Harbour Partners (co-lead), existing investors; collaborator with Northrop Grumman on the Golden Dome for America initiative.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Factory One in Los Angeles has peak capacity of 200+ satellites per year; expanding to 100,000+ sq. ft. by end of 2026.
  - Headcount more than doubled in the past year to over 350 employees.
  - First satellite (Aries) launched and operating; Nova 1 launching summer 2026 for Project Shadow.
  - Named one of Fast Company’s most innovative space companies in 2025.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Productized bus platforms**: Configurable, built ahead of need, and delivered in weeks/months instead of years – directly addressing the satellite production bottleneck.
- **High-rate manufacturing**: Factory designed from the ground up for serial production, with cell-based subassembly, linear integration cleanroom, and a 66,000-lbf vibration table.
- **Proprietary software (Octopus)**: Links inventory, scheduling, and work instructions to dynamically adjust to demand.
- **Flight heritage & speed**: World record for fastest clean-sheet design to production spacecraft operating in space.
- **Strategic government relationships**: Already delivering for national security missions (Project Shadow, Golden Dome collaboration).

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling satellite production capacity to support proliferated constellations for defense and commercial customers.
- Vertical integration of key subsystems to reduce lead times and increase reliability.
- Expanding Factory One campus and investing in ahead-of-need manufacturing of all three platforms.
- Building flight heritage across multiple platforms and orbital regimes (LEO & GEO).
- Strengthening position as the strategic satellite supplier of choice for U.S. government missions.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Collaboration, ownership, and impact from day one. Team includes U.S. military veterans, new graduates, and engineers from startups and primes.
- **Work model**: On-site at the Los Angeles factory; hands-on manufacturing and engineering environment.
- **Benefits** (full-time):
  - 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for employees and dependents.
  - 401(k) match: 100% of first 3%, 50% of next 2%.
  - Stock options in a fast-growing startup valued at $2.3B.
  - 8 weeks paid parental leave, Dependent Care FSA, daily childcare reimbursements up to $350, and a $1,500 DoorDash gift card.
  - 15 days vacation (increases to 20 after 3 years), 10 paid holidays, Christmas week shutdown, 6 sick days.
  - $100,000 basic life insurance (company-paid).
- **Engineering culture**: Relentless focus on speed and scale; technicians and engineers build and test satellites at record pace using proprietary tools.

## Sources
1. [Apex Space – Official Website](https://www.apexspace.com/)
2. [Apex Careers Page](https://www.apexspace.com/careers)
3. [Apex Funding Announcement – $2.3B Valuation (June 2026)](https://www.apexspace.com/blog/apex-announces-additional-fundraising-at-2b-valuation-to-scale-high-rate-satellite-production-for-proliferated-constellations)
4. [Apex LinkedIn Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/apexsatellites)
5. [Datanyze – Apex Profile (revenue & funding estimates)](https://www.datanyze.com/companies/apex/566131966)

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