Spacecraft Avionics Technician

About this 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 a highly skilled and experienced Avionics Technician to join our team. In this role, you will play a critical part in the assembly, integration, rework, troubleshooting, and testing of spacecraft avionics hardware. Your expertise in PCBA assembly and rework, avionics troubleshooting, and flight hardware integration will directly support the development and delivery of Apex spacecraft.

Responsibilities:

- Perform advanced avionics PCBA assembly, rework, and testing for satellite and spacecraft development and production hardware in accordance with engineering specifications, IPC standards, and safety requirements.

- Troubleshoot, diagnose, and rework avionics PCBAs, including component-level failure analysis, signal verification, and functional testing.

- Perform precision soldering, desoldering, and component rework, including SMT and through-hole components, fine-pitch devices, and micro-miniature soldering.

- Perform advanced PCBA repairs, including trace repair, pad reconstruction, via repair, and other board-level modifications.

- Utilize diagnostic equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and specialized avionics test equipment to identify and resolve electrical anomalies.

- Integrate avionics PCBAs into spacecraft systems, including flight computers, power distribution units, and other avionics assemblies.

- Perform board-level functional testing and validation, including power sequencing, communication interface testing, and subsystem performance verification.

- Support harness integration and rework, including connector installation, wire and splice repair, crimping, and shield termination.

- Partner closely with avionics engineers, quality engineers, and other technicians to diagnose and resolve technical issues throughout assembly, integration, and test.

- Ensure workmanship meets applicable quality standards, including IPC-A-610 Class 3, IPC J-STD-001 Space Applications, IPC-7711/7721, and NASA workmanship standards.

- Maintain accurate documentation of assembly activities, rework, test results, NCRs, and hardware discrepancies.

- Identify and implement opportunities to improve build efficiency, repeatability, and quality.

- Support environmental testing activities, including thermal vacuum, vibration, and shock testing.

Requirements:

- U.S. Person status is required due to access to export-controlled data.

- 7+ years of hands-on experience in avionics or electronics assembly, PCBA rework, troubleshooting, and/or integration within aerospace, defense, or another high-reliability environment.

- Advanced proficiency in precision soldering and PCBA rework, including SMT and through-hole component removal and replacement and fine-pitch device soldering.

- Demonstrated experience performing board-level repairs such as trace, pad, via, and solder mask repair.

- Strong component-level troubleshooting and fault isolation skills using equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and other electrical test equipment.

- Experience working with ESD-sensitive hardware and following appropriate ESD and FOD controls.

- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, electrical schematics, assembly drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.

- Experience using precision soldering and rework equipment, including temperature-controlled soldering stations, hot air rework systems, preheaters, and microscopes.

- Strong attention to detail and commitment to workmanship, safety, and quality.

- Ability to clearly document technical findings, rework activities, and test results.

- Ability to work effectively with engineers, quality personnel, and other technicians in a fast-paced hardware environment.

Preferred:

- Experience assembling, reworking, or troubleshooting satellite or spacecraft flight hardware.

- IPC J-STD-001 Space Applications and/or IPC-A-610 Class 3 certification.

- IPC-7711/7721 certification for rework, modification, and repair of electronic assemblies.

- IPC Specialist or Master-level certifications in J-STD-001 or IPC-A-610.

- Experience with BGA/CSP rework, micro-miniature soldering, and other advanced component-level rework techniques.

- Experience with NASA Class 1 or Class 2 flight hardware PCBAs or equivalent high-reliability aerospace hardware.

- Experience with harness integration, including crimping, connector assembly, cable routing, splicing, and shield termination.

- Familiarity with IPC/WHMA-A-620 and AS13002 workmanship requirements.

- Experience with aerospace communication protocols such as MIL-STD-1553, SpaceWire, and CAN bus.

- Experience supporting spacecraft environmental testing, including thermal vacuum, vibration, and shock.

- Familiarity with ANSI/ESD S20.20 and cleanroom protocols for flight hardware.

WHY JOIN APEX?

Apex believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day. Our employees love working at Apex, and we want you to love it too. We're a fast-growing startup that has raised more than $500M in funding, and we inves

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