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 Space is seeking a highly technical and execution-focused Staff Manufacturing Engineer to lead factory development and manufacturing scale up efforts for Comet, our next-generation spacecraft platform. This role will own the strategy and execution behind standing up new production facilities, designing scalable production systems, and transitioning spacecraft hardware from development into high rate manufacturing.

This person should be equally comfortable walking an empty warehouse and defining the entire factory vision: production lines, equipment placement, workflow, utilities, rate capability, and manufacturing strategy, as they are diving deep into the technical realities of the hardware being built. You’ll play a critical role in shaping how Apex scales future spacecraft production by developing practical, scalable factory solutions that support aggressive production targets while maintaining quality, efficiency, and flexibility.

You will work cross-functionally with Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, Facilities, Automation, and Leadership teams to build world-class manufacturing infrastructure from the ground up.

Responsibilities:

• Drive manufacturing strategy and NPI execution for Comet from early development through production ramp.

• Lead factory development initiatives including greenfield factory planning, facility layout, manufacturing line design, workflow optimization, and production infrastructure definition.

• Take ownership of translating production requirements into scalable factory solutions, including equipment layouts, material flow, staffing models, production rate planning, and facility outputs.

• Partner with leadership and Facilities teams to evaluate new buildings, support site selection activities, and define long-term manufacturing expansion strategies.

• Develop scalable production methodologies suitable for medium-to-high-rate spacecraft manufacturing.

• Define and implement manufacturing process flows, assembly strategies, tooling concepts, GSE requirements, and production readiness plans.

• Partner directly with product design and engineering teams to provide DFM/DFA feedback throughout concept development, PDR, CDR, and release phases.

• Collaborate with automation and facilities teams to identify and implement automation and semi-automation opportunities across production lines.

• Support sourcing, commissioning, validation, and deployment of production equipment, tooling, and manufacturing systems.

• Build practical manufacturing solutions that balance engineering intent, factory realities, throughput requirements, and long-term scalability.

• Drive root cause investigations, process improvements, and manufacturing readiness initiatives during integration and production activities.

• Establish and maintain manufacturing documentation, process controls, configuration management practices, and NPI best practices.

• Contribute to long-term strategy around vertical integration, factory scaling, manufacturing insourcing, and future production capabilities.

• Help define and scale the future NPI Manufacturing Engineering and Factory Development organization as production complexity and rate increase.

Requirements:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline.

• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, NPI, factory development, production engineering, or industrialization roles within aerospace, automotive, robotics, or other high-complexity hardware industries.

• Demonstrated experience scaling complex hardware products from prototype/development builds into production environments.

• Strong experience planning and developing manufacturing facilities, including factory layout, line design, workflow optimization, equipment integration, and production ramp activities.

• Proven ability to walk into a blank factory space and define practical, scalable manufacturing solutions from the ground up.

• Strong understanding of DFM/DFA principles, manufacturing process development, tooling design, and production system architecture.

• Hands-on, technically deep understanding of hardware manufacturing processes with the ability to bridge design intent and factory execution.

• Experience supporting production rate development, manufacturing capacity planning, and factory throughput planning.

• Hands-on experience with manufacturing process validation, integration, hardware bring-up, and production troubleshooting.

• Experience working cross-functionally with design engineering, supply chain, quality, production, automation, facilities, and test organizations.

• Strong communication, technical leadership, and execution skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive large-scale manufacturing initiatives.

• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, ambiguous development environments with high ownership and autonomy.

Nice to Haves:

• Experience developing or scaling spacecraft, satellite, avionics, propulsion, or other aerospace production systems.

• Experience supporting greenfield factory builds or major factory expansions.

• Familiarity with automation systems, robotics, AGVs, or advanced manufacturing technologies.

• Experience with vertical integration strategy, make/buy analysis, or manufacturing insourcing efforts.

• Experience with production simulation, factory throughput modeling, or rate analysis.

• Familiarity with configuration control, process qualification, and engineering change management systems.

• Experience with high-rate production environments within aerospace or automotive industries.

• Prior experience building or leading manufacturing engineering or factory development teams.

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 backed by $200M in Series D 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

Ready to join a team where your contributions matter and your future is bright? Let's build something extraordinary together.