Spacecraft Opto-Mechancial Manufacturing Engineer
Join Apex as an Opto-Mechanical Manufacturing Engineer to develop and scale manufacturing processes for precision spacecraft assemblies.
Posted by employer 6 hours ago
First seen on Joblaze 3 hours ago
Last verified on the company career page 3 hours ago
Skills & Technologies
What you'll build
- Develop and implement manufacturing and assembly processes
- Own hardware builds from prototypes through production
- Design and develop assembly fixtures and tooling
- Establish optical alignment and verification procedures
- Troubleshoot mechanical and optical assembly issues
Must have
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field
- 3+ years of experience in precision mechanical assembly
- Experience developing assembly processes and tooling
- Proficiency with 3D CAD software
Nice to have
- Experience with spacecraft optical payloads
- Knowledge of optical alignment techniques
- Experience with cleanroom assembly
- Familiarity with adhesives and bonding processes
- Experience transitioning hardware from development to production
Requirements
- Experience
- 3+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
Not disclosed in this posting: compensation, work arrangement, visa sponsorship.
Benefits
Joblaze summary
The Opto-Mechanical Manufacturing Engineer at Apex Space focuses on developing and scaling manufacturing processes for precision opto-mechanical assemblies used in spacecraft. This role requires expertise in mechanical assembly, optical alignment, and tooling development, along with proficiency in 3D CAD software. Ideal candidates have a background in mechanical or optical engineering and at least three years of relevant experience, making this position suitable for mid-level professionals looking to contribute to the aerospace sector.
Joblaze insights
- Listed today — first seen on Joblaze October 9, 2026. Last confirmed on Apex Space's careers page October 9, 2026.
- Mechanical Engineering appears in 4.4% of 3088 comparable mid other roles in United States; Creo appears in 0.2% of 3088 comparable mid other roles in United States.
Quick facts
- How much experience is required?
- At least 3 years of relevant experience for this Spacecraft Opto-Mechancial Manufacturing Engineer role.
- What's the tech stack?
- Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: 3D CAD, Creo, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, NX, Optical Engineering.
- What seniority level is this role?
- Apex Space targets mid-level candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this Spacecraft Opto-Mechancial Manufacturing Engineer role at Apex Space.
From the original posting
About the Role
Apex is seeking an Opto-Mechanical Manufacturing Engineer to develop, implement, and scale manufacturing processes for precision opto-mechanical spacecraft assemblies. This role will bridge design engineering and production, taking hardware from initial development through qualification and repeatable manufacturing.
The ideal candidate has experience with precision mechanical assemblies, optical alignment, tooling development, and hands-on hardware integration. You'll work closely with engineering and production teams to establish robust build processes, troubleshoot complex assembly challenges, and improve manufacturability as we scale.
Responsibilities:
Develop and implement manufacturing and assembly processes for precision opto-mechanical spacecraft hardware.
Own hardware builds from initial prototypes through production qualification and manufacturing ramp.
Design and develop assembly fixtures, alignment tooling, and test equipment to support precision hardware integration.
Establish optical alignment, calibration, inspection, and verification procedures.
Partner with design engineering to improve manufacturability, assembly efficiency, and hardware reliability.
Develop detailed work instructions, manufacturing procedures, and inspection criteria.
Troubleshoot mechanical, optical, and electromechanical assembly issues during development and production.
Perform tolerance analysis and evaluate critical alignment, fit, and interface requirements.
Support environmental and functional testing, including vibration, thermal cycling, and optical performance verification.
Drive continuous improvements in manufacturing yield, assembly repeatability, quality, and throughput.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
3+ years of experience in precision mechanical assembly, opto-mechanical integration, manufacturing engineering, or hardware development.
Experience developing assembly processes, tooling, and fixtures for complex hardware.
Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as NX, SolidWorks, or Creo.
Understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and precision measurement techniques.
Experience troubleshooting hardware and supporting hands-on assembly, integration, and testing.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with spacecraft optical payloads, sensors, cameras, laser systems, or precision optical instruments.
Knowledge of optical alignment techniques, metrology equipment, and calibration processes.
Experience with cleanroom assembly and contamination-sensitive hardware.
Familiarity with adhesives, bonding processes, precision fasteners, and thermal-mechanical interfaces.
Experience transitioning complex hardware from development into production.
Familiarity with environmental qualification testing for aerospace hardware.
What We Offer For Full-time Employees:
Shared upside: Receive equity in Apex, letting you benefit from the work you create
Standard company text repeated across Apex Space's postings is omitted here.