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. 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:
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- Own the architecture and development of spacecraft avionics systems, including power distribution, communications, and control systems
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- Lead the design, layout, bring up, and validation of custom PCBs for flight hardware
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- Drive system level trade studies balancing performance with spacecraft constraints including power, thermal, EMI, and mechanical
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- Deliver flight ready hardware and support integration, test, and production efforts
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- Partner closely with software, GNC, mechanical, and production teams to ensure successful system integration
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- Assist with hiring, mentor, and lead a team of electrical engineers while setting a high technical bar
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- Lead rapid prototyping and development efforts to evaluate designs, derisk interfaces, and validate performance
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- Establish and improve processes to ensure avionics systems are reliable, manufacturable, and scalable
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- Troubleshoot and resolve issues at the board and system level across design, integration, and production
Requirements:
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- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
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- 5+ years of experience designing and delivering electrical systems for aerospace or other high reliability applications
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- Strong experience with PCB design, schematic capture, layout, and bring up
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- Experience with Altium or similar PCB design tools
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- Experience with component selection, circuit analysis and simulation, and board manufacturing processes
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- Hands on experience debugging electronics at the board and system level
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- Proven technical leadership experience owning subsystems or mentoring engineers
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- Ability to communicate technical trade offs clearly and drive cross functional alignment
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- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
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- Experience designing for space or other harsh environments including thermal, EMI, and radiation considerations
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- Background in avionics subsystems such as power systems, communications, sensors, or control electronics
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- Experience in a fast paced or startup environment