Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Production Automation

Department: Production

Location: Los Angeles

Compensation: $125K – $165K • Offers Equity

Employment Type: FullTime

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

As the Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Production Automation, you will own the design, development, and scale-up of an entirely new production line at Apex, from inception through full rate production. You'll act as the technical lead and driving force behind this line, defining the process architecture, selecting and integrating automation equipment, and partnering with design engineering to ensure the product is manufacturable at scale. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role for an engineer who thrives on building something from nothing and taking it all the way to a mature, high-throughput production system. As the line matures, this role will have the opportunity to grow into a leadership position with a team of manufacturing engineers.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end development of a new production line, from process architecture definition through full rate production

• Design, specify, procure, and integrate automated manufacturing equipment, including SMT, pick-and-place, reflow, inspection, and associated material handling and test systems

• Develop process flows, work instructions, and tooling to support a highly automated, low-touch production environment

• Partner with design engineering to drive DFM/DFA feedback early in the product development cycle, ensuring manufacturability, testability, and yield at scale

• Lead process qualification, first article inspection, and validation activities to bring the line from prototype through production release

• Define and drive key production metrics including first pass yield, cycle time, takt time, and line utilization, and execute continuous improvement efforts against them

• Troubleshoot complex process, equipment, and quality issues on the production floor, and lead root cause and corrective action investigations

• Develop the hiring plan, training materials, and operational cadence needed to grow and sustain the line as throughput scales

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across production, quality, supply chain, and test to resolve manufacturing issues and support new product introductions

• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and best practices throughout the manufacturing and integration processes

Requirements

• U.S. Persons status is required as this position needs to access export-controlled data

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Electrical, Industrial, or related field)

• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering within aerospace, electronics, medical device, automotive, or other complex hardware environments

• Demonstrated experience standing up a new production line or major production capability from the ground up, including equipment selection, process development, and ramp to rate

• Strong working knowledge of automated electronics assembly processes, including SMT, pick-and-place, reflow soldering, AOI, and ICT/functional test integration

• Proven track record of implementing process improvements that resulted in measurable gains in quality, efficiency, or cost reduction

• Strong project management skills with ability to drive strategic initiatives from concept to execution across multiple concurrent workstreams

• Strong technical communication skills with ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders, including design, quality, and supply chain

• Demonstrated experience leading root cause and corrective action investigations

• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, hardware-intensive environments with a high degree of ambiguity
  

Preferred Requirements

• Experience specifying, procuring, and commissioning capital equipment for electronics or precision assembly lines

• Experience in spacecraft, launch vehicle, or other high-reliability aerospace manufacturing

• Experience scaling a production line from new product introduction to rate production

• Familiarity with IPC standards (IPC-A-610, J-STD-001) and high-reliability electronics workmanship requirements

• Familiarity with AS9100 or other high-reliability aerospace quality systems

• Experience with MES/ERP/MRP systems and digital production tracking

• Lean manufacturing, value stream mapping, or process optimization experience

• Tooling and fixture design experience for automated or semi-automated assembly

#LI-HC1

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 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.

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.