Senior RF/Comms System Engineer
Apex is seeking a seasoned spacecraft RF engineer to work on a closely integrated team who will drive the design of hardware and software to meet the communications requirements of our satellite bus. You will have the opportunity to approach this from a clean sheet design and inform coupled trades across the vehicle architecture, pushing the limits of design and performance to disrupt and impact the industry.
About the role
Apex manufactures satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware designed for manufacturing. Our spacecraft enable the future of society, ranging from earth observation to communications and more. This role involves designing and developing RF, digital, and optical satellite communications systems and architectures from the ground up.
Responsibilities
- Design and develop RF, digital, and optical satellite communications systems and spacecraft architectures
- Define and verify space communication system requirements and interfaces
- Drive requirements for subcomponents and supplier down selection
- Perform analyses and simulations for space communication systems, including: link budgeting, analysis, signal distortion, system capacity, reliability, and performance
- Develop analysis tools using MATLAB and object-oriented software platforms
- Develop and verify system algorithms that meet functional and performance requirements
- Perform hardware procurement, integration, design reviews, and verification
- Work closely with other engineers to achieve overall system requirements
- Work with payload customers to accommodate payload requirements
Requirements
- U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export controlled data
- 5+ years of spacecraft RF and Telemetry communications experience
- Experience across multiple spacecraft programs
- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related field (Master’s degree preferred but not required)
- Excellent interpersonal skills, able to work effectively within an organization and convey decisions, direction, and conclusions to multiple audiences
- Extensive experience in spacecraft design, launch, and operation, including all phases of the development lifecycle
- Experience in integrated software/hardware verification and testing
Pay
Salary Range: $175,000 - $215,000 a year (targeted base salary, excluding additional benefits). If your salary requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply.
Benefits
- 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: Starting at 15 days vacation (growing to 20+ days annually), plus 10 paid holidays
- Competitive 401(k) plan: 100% match on first 3%, 50% on next 2%
- Parental leave: 8 weeks paid parental leave plus childcare reimbursement up to $350/day for work-related travel
- Daily perks: Catered lunch and unlimited snacks
- Vibrant community: Monthly office socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and family gatherings
- Work environment: Your dream desk setup, all necessary tools, and a world-class Playa Vista office with in-person collaboration and flexibility