Overview In this senior role you own the end-to-end design and development of Apex's Hall-effect thrusters, driving physics-based design decisions, testing, and production readiness. You will guide qualification campaigns and work with cross-functional teams to integrate propulsion hardware with system interfaces. The role combines development with manufacturing-scale considerations to move thruster technology from lab to flight.
Compensation / Benefits- Equity in Apex
- 100% company-paid healthcare, dental, vision
- PTO 15-20+ days + 10 holidays
- 401(k) with company matching
- 8 weeks parental leave + childcare reimbursement
- Daily catered lunch and snacks
Responsibilities- Own end-to-end Hall-effect thruster design and development (discharge channel geometry, magnetic circuit, anode and gas distributor, thermal-mechanical packaging)
- Develop plasma physics and performance models to optimize ionization, acceleration, magnetic topology, efficiency, thrust-to-power, and specific impulse
- Plan and execute thruster test and life-qualification campaigns (performance mapping, plume/thermal testing, wear testing, long-duration life tests)
- Develop erosion, degradation, and life models; ensure mission life and propulsion budget compliance
- Drive integration with cathode, propellant feed-system, and PPU teams; optimize interfaces and operating points
- Select and qualify materials (ceramics, magnetic materials, refractory metals) for spaceflight and scalable production
- Optimize designs for performance, mass, cost, manufacturability; create work instructions and AI&T procedures for high-rate production
- Support build, integration, test of flight hardware and launch campaigns; evaluate on-orbit performance and resolve anomalies
- Lead failure analysis and continuous design improvements; mentor propulsion engineers and grow capability
Key requirements- Bachelor's or Master's with 6+ years of electric propulsion experience, or PhD with 3+ years in Hall-effect thruster design, development, and testing
- Deep hands-on knowledge of Hall thruster physics and design (discharge channel, magnetic layout, anode and gas distribution, cathode coupling, thermal management)
- Experience planning and executing EP test campaigns in vacuum facilities with plume diagnostics and life testing
- Strong understanding of degradation mechanisms and life prediction for Hall thrusters
- Experience owning hardware through design, build, and test; ability to decompose requirements and communicate across disciplines
- U.S. Person status (ITAR)
- Nice-to-have: flight qualification experience, magnetically shielded/wall-less/thruster architectures, alternative propellants, plasma simulation tools, PPU/thruster drive electronics, design-for-manufacturing in propulsion
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Strong written and oral communication
- Mentorship and technical leadership
- Hall-effect thruster design and physics
- Discharge channel design and magnetic circuit layout
- Thermal management and materials selection for spaceflight
