About the 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.
About
the Role Apex Space is seeking Manufacturing Development Director to build and scale our Manufacturing Development organization, driving the transition of spacecraft programs from early design through production readiness and high-rate manufacturing. This role will sit at the center of Engineering and Production, owning the development, maturation, and industrialization of manufacturing processes, tooling, test infrastructure, and assembly flows required to successfully ramp spacecraft production at scale. You will lead cross-functional efforts focused on New Product Introduction (NPI), manufacturing process development, production readiness, and factory scaling initiatives across spacecraft assembly, integration, and test operations. Your work will directly impact our ability to rapidly bring new spacecraft platforms and hardware into production while maintaining uncompromising quality, reliability, and efficiency.
Responsibilities: Lead and scale the Manufacturing Development organization supporting spacecraft production, including Manufacturing Engineering, Integration Engineering, Test Engineering, NPI, and production readiness initiatives. Own the transition of new spacecraft products and subsystems from development into volume production, ensuring manufacturability, repeatability, and production scalability. Drive NPI execution across spacecraft programs, partnering closely with Design Engineering, Supply Chain, Production, Quality, and Test teams throughout the product lifecycle. Develop and implement manufacturing development strategies that support aggressive production ramp goals while maintaining high quality and reliability standards. Establish robust manufacturing processes, assembly flows, tooling, fixtures, work instructions, and test methodologies for new and existing spacecraft hardware. Lead production readiness reviews, risk assessments, and factory integration planning for new products and major design changes. Identify manufacturing bottlenecks and drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput, cycle time reduction, yield improvement, and cost optimization. Partner with leadership to define factory scaling strategies, resource planning, capital investments, and long-term manufacturing roadmaps. Drive design-for-manufacturing (DFM), design-for-assembly (DFA), and design-for-test (DFT) best practices across engineering teams. Build and develop high-performing technical teams while fostering a culture of urgency, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Evaluate and implement new manufacturing technologies, automation strategies, and production systems to improve efficiency and scalability. Support rapid development timelines and evolving program priorities in a fast-paced aerospace environment.