NPI Manufacturing Engineer

Overview As an NPI Manufacturing Engineer, you will enable scalable production for commercial and government spacecraft programs. You’ll partner with design, production, and quality teams to ensure manufacturability and efficient ramp from development to production. You will define assembly strategies, tooling, and process controls while validating production equipment and tooling. This role sits at the intersection of design and manufacturing to drive reliable, high-rate satellite bus production. Your work directly supports Apex’s mission to expand humankind’s access to space. Compensation / Benefitsequity100% company-paid healthcare (medical, dental, vision)PTO 15 days to 20+ days + 10 holidays401(k) with generous matching8 weeks paid parental leave and childcare reimbursementdaily catered lunch and snacks ResponsibilitiesSupport NPI execution from development builds to production rampProvide DFM/DFA feedback throughout concept development, PDR/CDR, and releaseDevelop production methodologies and flows for medium-to-high-rate manufacturingContribute to factory development: workflow, line design, tooling, equipment integrationDefine assembly strategies, tooling concepts, work instructions, and readiness plansSupport sourcing, commissioning, validation, and deployment of production equipment and toolingCollaborate with supply chain, production, and quality to meet cost, quality, reliability, and rate targetsMaintain manufacturing documentation, process controls, and configuration management per NPI best practices Key requirementsU.S. Persons status; TS/SCI clearance desired but not required3+ years in manufacturing engineering, NPI, or factory engineeringExperience transitioning hardware from prototype to productionStrong DFM/DFA, process development, and tooling designAbility to read engineering drawings and technical documentsHands-on experience with process validation, hardware bring-up, and troubleshootingCross-functional collaboration with design, supply chain, quality, production, and testFamiliarity with configuration control, process qualification, and engineering change managementExperience with automation, production equipment, or advanced manufacturingExperience in aerospace, satellites, robotics, automotive, or high-complexity hardwareexcellent communicationstrong ownershipcollaboration across teamsDFM/DFA principlesmanufacturing process developmenttooling design