Job Description

Overview

Apex is seeking a skilled Mechanical Design Engineer to join their satellite engineering team, responsible for developing mechanical designs and conducting structural analyses for satellite structures, subsystems, and components. The company focuses on manufacturing satellite buses at scale to meet the increasing demand for commercial spacecraft platforms.

Responsibilities

  • Develop mechanical designs and models for satellite structures, subsystems, and components.
  • Conduct structural analyses to ensure compliance with performance and reliability requirements.
  • Optimize designs for weight reduction, material selection, and manufacturability.
  • Evaluate and select appropriate materials and processes for satellite mechanical systems.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate mechanical systems with other subsystems.
  • Participate in the assembly, integration, and testing (AIT) process of satellite hardware.
  • Perform environmental testing to validate mechanical designs.
  • Prepare technical documentation, including engineering drawings, specifications, and test reports.
  • Maintain accurate records of design changes, test results, and other engineering documentation.
  • Generate comprehensive reports and presentations to communicate design concepts and analysis results.
  • Stay updated with the latest advancements in satellite engineering and mechanical design technologies.
  • Identify areas for improvement in design methodologies, manufacturing processes, and quality control.
  • Contribute to research and development projects aimed at enhancing satellite performance and capabilities.

Requirements

  • U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export controlled data.
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field; Master's degree is a plus.
  • 2+ years of experience in mechanical design and analysis, preferably in the aerospace or satellite industry.
  • Proficiency in CAD software for 3D modeling and drafting.
  • Strong understanding of structural analysis techniques, including finite element analysis (FEA).
  • Strong understanding of drafting standards such as GD&T.
  • Familiarity with manufacturing processes for aerospace-grade materials and components.
  • Knowledge of environmental testing procedures and standards for space applications.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
  • Effective communication skills to convey complex technical information to diverse audiences.
  • Attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality work.
  • Familiarity with industry standards and regulations, such as ASME, ASTM, and NASA guidelines.

Benefits

  • 401k
  • Health Insurance
  • PTO

Benefits

401k
Health Insurance
PTO

How this job compares in Los Angeles, CA

Pay in context

At roughly $55/hr, this posting sits about 29% above the $43/hr median for welding jobs in Los Angeles, CA — toward the top of a $35–$63/hr middle band drawn from 60 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 68% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. Pay that far above local median usually comes attached to something: a harder cert requirement, travel, night shift, or overtime that isn't really optional. Worth establishing which before you accept.

The local market in Los Angeles, CA

We're tracking 82 other active welding openings in Los Angeles, CA right now, from 55 different employers. 43 of them were added in the last week. Across California as a whole we're tracking 596 other active welding openings from 294 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Los Angeles, or widen the search to California.

Apex - Satellite Platforms currently has 1 other opening live in California, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in California at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are SpaceX (34), Aerotek (16), and Volt (16). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within California, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Redondo Beach at $65/hr, Long Beach at $49/hr, and Santa Ana at $48/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Certifications this posting mentions

  • ASME Section IXthe ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code qualification. It covers welding on pressure-retaining equipment — boilers, vessels, and process piping — where a failed weld is a safety incident rather than a rework ticket.

Read straight from this posting's text. Confirm the exact qualification the employer wants before you test — requirements vary by shop even under the same code.

Similar openings near Los Angeles, CA

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer figures were last recalculated when this page was built.