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 looking for an Avionics Lead to own the architecture, development, and delivery of flight critical avionics systems. you’ll drive technical direction across power, communications, and control systems while leading a small, high performing team. You’ll stay hands on and take hardware from clean sheet through flight and into scalable production, working closely with software, GNC, mechanical, and production teams to ensure reliable and repeatable spacecraft builds.

Responsibilities

Own the architecture and development of spacecraft avionics systems, including power distribution, communications, and control systems

Lead the design, layout, bring up, and validation of custom PCBs for flight hardware

Drive system level trade studies balancing performance with spacecraft constraints including power, thermal, EMI, and mechanical

Deliver flight ready hardware and support integration, test, and production efforts

Partner closely with software, GNC, mechanical, and production teams to ensure successful system integration

Assist with hiring, mentor, and lead a team of electrical engineers while setting a high technical bar

Lead rapid prototyping and development efforts to evaluate designs, derisk interfaces, and validate performance

Establish and improve processes to ensure avionics systems are reliable, manufacturable, and scalable

Troubleshoot and resolve issues at the board and system level across design, integration, and production

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

5+ years of experience designing and delivering electrical systems for aerospace or other high reliability applications

Strong experience with PCB design, schematic capture, layout, and bring up

Experience with Altium or similar PCB design tools

Experience with component selection, circuit analysis and simulation, and board manufacturing processes

Hands on experience debugging electronics at the board and system level

Proven technical leadership experience owning subsystems or mentoring engineers

Ability to communicate technical trade offs clearly and drive cross functional alignment

Preferred Requirements

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Experience designing for space or other harsh environments including thermal, EMI, and radiation considerations

Background in avionics subsystems such as power systems, communications, sensors, or control electronics

Experience in a fast paced or startup environment

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%