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Senior Propulsion Engineer, Hall-Effect Thrusters

Apex Space · Los Angeles · On-site

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About Apex Space

Mass-manufacturing productized satellite platforms to accelerate deployment of critical, next-generation constellations. Backed by a16z and CRV.

About the role

Apex is seeking a Senior Electric Propulsion Engineer with deep expertise in Hall-effect thrusters to own the design, development, qualification, and production of Hall thruster technology for our electric propulsion systems. Building on Apex's in-house Hall-effect thruster capability, you will drive thruster development from plasma physics and discharge channel design through qualification, flight integration, and design-for-manufacturing at rate. Found on 1752vc Careers, the job board for startup and VC roles.

What they're looking for

  • Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, plasma/propulsion engineering, applied physics, or a related field
  • Deep, hands-on knowledge of Hall thruster physics and design, including discharge channel design, magnetic circuit layout, anode and gas distribution, cathode coupling, and thermal management
  • Experience planning and executing Hall thruster or EP test campaigns in vacuum facilities, including plasma/plume diagnostics, performance measurement, and life/wear testing
  • Strong understanding of the failure and degradation mechanisms that drive Hall thruster life, including channel and pole erosion, thermal limits, and discharge instabilities, and how to design and test against them
  • Working knowledge of spacecraft propulsion system architecture, propellant feed systems, and PPU interaction
  • Experience owning hardware through design, development, build, and test
More about this role

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.

Apex is seeking a Senior Electric Propulsion Engineer with deep expertise in Hall-effect thrusters to own the design, development, qualification, and production of Hall thruster technology for our electric propulsion systems. Building on Apex's in-house Hall-effect thruster capability, you will drive thruster development from...

Read the full posting on Apex Space's site ↗

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