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Spacecraft Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Apex

Spacecraft Design Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$165K - $200K/yr

About the Role As a Spacecraft Design Engineer, you will be a foundational team member responsible for defining the future of Apex's satellite platforms. You will operate at the design and ...

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$72

How much do spacecraft design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for spacecraft design in California is $50.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.65 and $60.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a spacecraft design?

A Spacecraft Design job involves creating and developing spacecraft, including satellites, probes, and crewed vehicles. Engineers in this field work on structural design, propulsion systems, thermal management, avionics, and overall mission requirements. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software, perform simulations, and collaborate with scientists to ensure the spacecraft meets its intended purpose. This role requires expertise in aerospace engineering, physics, and materials science.

What is a typical team structure for a spacecraft design project?

Spacecraft Design projects usually involve multidisciplinary teams composed of aerospace engineers, systems engineers, propulsion specialists, avionics experts, and project managers. Each team member focuses on a specific subsystem, such as structural integrity, power management, or communications, and collaborates closely to integrate these components into a cohesive design. Frequent collaboration, design reviews, and cross-functional meetings are common, ensuring all parts work flawlessly together. This collaborative structure fosters knowledge sharing and innovation while maintaining strict adherence to technical requirements and project milestones.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the spacecraft design position, and why are they important?

To excel in Spacecraft Design, candidates typically require a degree in aerospace engineering or a related field, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in physics and mathematics. Experience with CAD software, simulation tools, and familiarity with industry standards such as NASA or ESA guidelines are highly valued. Strong teamwork, creative problem-solving, and effective communication skills help professionals collaborate and innovate in multidisciplinary environments. These competencies ensure cutting-edge and reliable spacecraft solutions that meet rigorous performance and safety requirements.

What are the most commonly searched types of Spacecraft Design jobs in California?

The most popular types of Spacecraft Design jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Spacecraft Design jobs in California?

For Spacecraft Design jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Spacecraft Design jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Spacecraft Design jobs in California are:

Spacecraft Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Spacecraft Design job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, and 21% Contract. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,055 per year, or $50 per hour.

Spacecraft Design Engineer

Apex

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$165K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

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 a Spacecraft Design Engineer, you will be a foundational team member responsible for defining the future of Apex's satellite platforms. You will operate at the design and development phase of the product lifecycle, shaping system architectures that balance performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost for mass-manufactured satellite buses that enable access to Earth orbit and beyond.
You will act as a platform-level integrator and architect-translating mission needs into clear system requirements, interfaces, and design trades that downstream teams can execute with confidence.
Responsibilities
System Architecture & Design
  • Define and evolve end-to-end satellite system architectures across multiple mission profiles
  • Perform system-level trade studies to optimize performance, reliability, cost, mass, and schedule
  • Analyze and allocate system requirements to spacecraft subsystems
  • Define and maintain system interfaces and interface control documents (ICDs)

Requirements & Technical Ownership
  • Define, document, and manage platform-level requirements during early lifecycle phases
  • Maintain traceability between customer needs, system requirements, and subsystem designs
  • Identify technical risks early and develop mitigation strategies
  • Perform system-level analyses (margins, sensitivities, FMEA) to inform design decisions

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Collaborate closely with propulsion, avionics, power, structures, thermal, software, and manufacturing teams
  • Translate mission concepts into executable platform designs
  • Support internal design reviews and customer technical discussions
  • Prepare designs for transition into integration, test, and qualification
Requirements
  • U.S. Person status (ability to access export-controlled data)
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred)
  • 6+ years of experience working on complex hardware systems (spacecraft preferred)
  • Strong understanding of satellite subsystems and their interactions
  • Experience with system-level trade studies, requirements definition, and interface management
  • Strong analytical, communication, and documentation skills
Preferred
  • Experience developing satellite platforms or spacecraft buses
  • Familiarity with requirements management or modeling tools (e.g., SysML, Jira, Excel)
  • Experience supporting early validation or risk-reduction testing
  • Familiarity with aerospace systems engineering best practices
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.

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