Senior Mission Integration Engineer

About the role

The Senior Mission Integration Engineer at Apex owns the end-to-end technical integration of customer missions from initial concept through on-orbit operations. This role serves as the central architect defining mission architecture by synthesizing spacecraft, launch vehicle, ground systems, and operational requirements into a unified plan. You will independently drive complex analysis activities and act as the primary liaison between customers and our multidisciplinary engineering teams. The position requires leading critical verification and validation efforts to ensure mission success across all program phases. You will guide the execution of integration procedures, environmental testing, and launch vehicle activities while coordinating with external partners. This role shapes future missions by contributing technical input during proposal development and strategic planning. You will own the development of mission-specific documentation, procedures, and lessons learned to institutionalize best practices.

Key facts

What you'll do

Define end-to-end mission architecture encompassing spacecraft, launch vehicle, ground systems, and operations aligned with detailed customer requirements.

Lead space vehicle I&T planning and execution, including payload integration, spacecraft level environmental test, and seamless launch vehicle integration activities.

Perform comprehensive mission analysis covering orbital mechanics, trajectory planning, and spacecraft deployment strategies to optimize mission success.

Serve as the primary technical liaison between internal engineering teams and external customers to ensure alignment and resolve integration challenges.

Lead execution of coupled loads analysis (CLA), thermal analysis, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) assessments to verify system compatibility.

Generate mission-specific technical budgets addressing power, mass, data volume, pointing accuracy, and other critical resource parameters.

Travel to launch sites to oversee payload integration, conduct system checkouts, and participate in launch rehearsals to ensure operational readiness.

Work with mission operations teams to track and maintain spacecraft performance throughout its operational orbit and manage contingencies.

Lead the development of technical documentation, integration procedures, and lessons learned repositories to enhance future mission efficiency.

Collaborate with engineering, business development, and external partners to shape the technical roadmap and feasibility of future missions.

Lead technical support for proposal development by defining technical approaches, conducting feasibility studies, and developing cost estimates.

Develop and maintain detailed customer system-level documentation including specifications, interface control documents, and system design descriptions.

Support requirements analysis, verification, and validation activities to ensure strict compliance with customer needs and industry standards.

Identify and assess technical risks across the system design, development, and operational lifecycle using structured methodologies.

Perform system-level failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and actively support reliability engineering efforts to mitigate potential issues.

Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams including electrical, mechanical, and software engineers to ensure holistic system integration and performance validation.

Communicate technical concepts, requirements, and issues clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical stakeholders across all organizational levels.

Lead Apex technical support during customer meetings, design reviews, and project status updates to ensure transparent and effective communication.

Requirements

U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export controlled data for national security and compliance purposes.

Hold a Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related technical field.

Possess a minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience working on complex hardware systems, with spacecraft experience being highly valued.

Demonstrate prior experience in satellite manufacturing or related industries such as aerospace, defense, or high-tech sectors.

Show a strong understanding of space systems, launch vehicle mechanics, orbital dynamics, and real-world mission operations.

Have direct experience working with prime contractors or government entities on large-scale technical programs.

Show familiarity with CubeSat, small satellite, or rideshare mission integration processes and best practices.

Demonstrate familiarity with flight software, embedded systems, and space communications protocols including CCSDS, S-band, and X-band systems.

Have previous spacecraft, launch vehicle, or payload engineering experience in a professional capacity.

Show advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other core office productivity tools for complex data analysis and reporting.

Demonstrate proficiency in Python, MATLAB, STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or other mission analysis and simulation tools.

Show experience coordinating cross-functional teams and successfully managing timelines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Exhibit strong organizational and multitasking abilities with the capacity to prioritize effectively amid changing project demands and competing priorities.

Possess strong interpersonal skills to enable effective collaboration across the diverse Apex team and with external stakeholders.

Nice to have

Experience with system-level modeling, simulation, and digital twin concepts for spacecraft operations.

Knowledge of emerging space standards, commercial spaceflight operations, and regulatory frameworks.

Practical notes

This role may require travel to launch sites and partner facilities as mission activities dictate.

U.S. Person status is required to access export controlled data and systems.