Apex Technology Inc

Staff Manufacturing Engineer - Factory Development

Los Angeles · Staff+ · Full-time

Sponsorship not specifiedDetected 62 days ago

Supply ChainAvionicsRoboticsMechanical DesignAerospace EngineeringLeadershipCommunicationCollaboration

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.

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.
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.

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

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

Comprehensive PTO package to reset and recharge - starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays

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
8 weeks paid parental leave plus childcare reimbursement up to $350/day for work-related travel

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.
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.

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.
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.

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