Propulsion Test Technician

About the role

Apex Space is seeking a Propulsion Test Technician to support hands-on testing of spacecraft propulsion hardware, including thrusters, flow controllers, and power processing units (PPUs). You’ll be responsible for setting up, executing, and tearing down tests, operating test stands and vacuum chambers, maintaining test equipment, and working closely with engineers to keep propulsion testing safe, reliable, and moving at production rate.

Responsibilities

• Set up, execute, and tear down propulsion tests on thrusters, flow controllers, PPUs, and related propulsion hardware.
• Operate propulsion test stands, vacuum chambers, pumping systems, instrumentation, and data acquisition equipment.
• Install and remove test articles, including fluid connections, electrical interfaces, sensors, instrumentation, and associated GSE.
• Perform pre-test checkouts to verify hardware configuration, instrumentation, and test setup are correct and safe to operate.
• Execute test procedures and monitor hardware, instrumentation, and facility systems throughout testing.
• Perform routine and preventive maintenance on test stands, vacuum chambers, pumps, instrumentation, and GSE.
• Troubleshoot test equipment and hardware issues alongside test and propulsion engineers to minimize downtime.
• Monitor equipment health and identify potential failures or maintenance needs before they impact testing.
• Maintain test cells, tooling, equipment, and consumables to ensure systems are organized, calibrated, and ready to run.
• Maintain accurate test logs, as-run documentation, configuration records, and equipment maintenance history.
• Provide feedback to engineering on test procedures, tooling, equipment, and processes to improve safety, reliability, and efficiency.
• Follow safety requirements for vacuum systems, pressurized systems, high-voltage hardware, and other hazardous operations.
• Support qualification and acceptance testing at production rate as Apex scales spacecraft manufacturing.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in a test, lab, manufacturing, maintenance, or similar technical environment.
• Hands-on experience using hand tools, power tools, torque tools, fasteners, tubing and fittings, and electrical cabling.
• Ability to read and follow technical procedures, engineering drawings, schematics, and work instructions.