Comet Vehicle Director

Comet Vehicle Director 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 Comet Vehicle Director, you will be the technical authority and visionary for our next generation spacecraft, responsible for the vehicle requirements, design, integrated architecture, subsystem integration, system sizing, and mission performance. The Comet Vehicle Director partners closely with Apex executive leadership, subsystem leads and responsible engineers, manufacturing, supply chain, and business development to the vehicle from concept through flight and production start. You will own the technical program direction for Apex, guide cross-disciplinary engineering teams, and ensure the spacecraft meets performance, reliability, and schedule targets while maintaining Apex’s high-rate production philosophy. This role requires deep spacecraft systems experience combined with the ability to lead complex engineering efforts across avionics, propulsion, GNC, structures, and flight software. Responsibilities: Vehicle Technical Leadership • Serve as the technical authority for the Comet vehicle, owning system architecture, performance, and technical decision-making. • Own the Comet program outcome, ensuring the vehicle meets Apex’s technical requirements, cost targets, schedules, and overall mission capability. • Lead the design engineering efforts across requirements, architectural trades, analysis, and qualification. • Identify and drive technical development projects and staffing needs to deliver next generation satellite capabilities for Apex. Spacecraft Integration & Technical Execution • Ensure successful integration of spacecraft subsystems including avionics, propulsion, power, GNC, structures, thermal, and software. • Lead vehicle-level design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR). • Resolve cross-subsystem technical challenges and manage interface definitions. • Own the vehicle configuration baseline and major design block changes. Program Collaboration • Act as a program manager to align technical execution with program schedule and milestones. • Provide technical leadership during customer interactions and mission design discussions. • Translate mission requirements into vehicle capabilities and engineering plans. Engineering Leadership • Set engineering priorities and integration plans across design engineering, manufacturing engineering, and production. • Drive coordination with subsystem responsible engineers, engineering team leaders, and other vehicle directors to ensure alignment across Apex. • Mentor senior engineers and engineering leaders as the Comet program grows. Verification & Flight Readiness • Ensure the vehicle meets mission performance, reliability, and environmental requirements. • Lead development of system-level test campaigns including flatsat, hardware-in-the-loop (HITL), and integrated vehicle testing. • Oversee verification matrices and qualification strategy. Required Qualifications: • 10+ years of experience in spacecraft or complex aerospace systems development • Proven experience serving as Chief Engineer, Vehicle Lead, or Systems Engineering Lead on spacecraft or a ... (truncated, view full listing at source)