Radiation Effects Engineer

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

Job Summary

As a Radiation Effects engineer, you will serve as one of the points of contact for all technical topics related to space environment qualification and design, and meet team members' needs, customer requirements, and company goals. In this role you will serve as a focal for spacecraft electronics radiation susceptibility with the responsibility of hardening reliable space systems. This position requires deep technical expertise in radiation effects testing and analysis.

Responsibilities

You are responsible for enforcing the Radiation Hardness Assurance for our various buses, products and individual components. You will coordinate closely with all products designers to continually evolve, test, and maintain a radiation parts and materials library. You will also provide radiation analysis capabilities to ensure spacecraft shielding and electronics design is adequate for compliance to harsh environments ranging from LEO to GEO.

- Establish and own the radiation qualification campaigns for critical new generation electronics

- Operate radiation test equipment, including total dose sources and pulsed laser equipment

- Provide radiation tolerant recommendations to product designers to increase probability of mission success through part selection, circuit design, passive/active radiation mitigations and mission design recommendations

- Support business development and mission integration efforts by contributing to proposals, requirements development, customer briefings, and design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) with radiation assessments

- Own the budget, schedule, plan, and execution of radiation test campaigns at external facilities (protons, heavy ions, gamma, neutron) or through third-party partners for specific new technologies

- Provide unit and mission level radiation analyses including SEE rates, availability estimates, cumulative dose exposures and the associated artifacts for requirements verification

- Maintain and grow the parts and materials library databases with critical piece-part and material information accessible to all designers

Basic Qualifications

- B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Nuclear Engineering, or related field

- 2-5 years of experience in radiation effects and/or reliability engineering for aerospace systems

- Expertise with radiation tools (e.g. AE9/AP9/SPM, CREME96, OMERE, SPENVIS) for environmental definition and requirements definition.

- Familiarity with industry radiation standards (e.g. MIL-STD-750, MIL-STD-883, ECSS-Q-ST-60-15C, MIL-STD-3053 and NASA testing guidelines).

- Experience with budgeting, scheduling and executing SEE, TID and DDD test campaigns, including test evaluation hardware/kit development and familiar with testing FPGAs and microprocessors.

- Proficiency with data analysis and modeling software (Python, MATLAB, or equivalent).

- Familiarity with circuit simulation tools (e.g. LTSpice) with experience in design and/or analysis of digital and analog circuits.

- Strong lab experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, source meters, power supplies, and automating data collection.

- Effective communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey radiation risks and mitigation to diverse stakeholders

Preferred Skills and Experience

- M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Reliability Engineering, or related field

- Hands-on experience with scripting, automation, and programming languages (Python, MATLAB, JMP, C/C++, SQL, etc.)

- Familiarity with radiation transport and shielding analysis tools (FASTRAD)

- Familiarity with space charging effects on materials and electronics

- Experience with anomaly resolution and documentation of anomaly reports and lessons learned databases

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 invest heavily in our people from day one.

WHAT WE OFFER FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES:

- Shared upside: Receive equity in Apex, letting you benefit from the work you create

- Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents, plus $100k life insurance at no cost

- Comprehensive PTO package: Starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays

- Competitive 401(k) plan: Generous matching - 100% match on first 3%, 50% on next 2%

- 8 weeks paid parental leave: Plus childcare reimbursement up to $350/day for work-related travel

- Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks: To keep you fueled throughout the day

- Vibrant community: Monthly office socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and gatherings for you and your family

- Your dream desk setup: All the tools you need to be your most productive self

- World-class Playa Vista office: With the benefit of in-person collaboration with amazing coworkers and flexibility to integrate work and life

- Real impact opportunity: Work alongside experts from aerospace, new space, and other cutting-edge industries to make a lasting difference

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Compensation ranges are set by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. A candidate's specific level and base pay are determined case by case and may vary with job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities, and internal equity. Beyond base salary, full-time hires are also eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options, along with medical, dental, and vision coverage and a 401(k) retirement plan.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS

Apex's work is governed by U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). To be eligible for this role, applicants must either (1) qualify as a U.S. Person, meaning a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), a refugee admitted under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or an individual granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or (2) be able to obtain the required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce, or another applicable U.S. government agency. You can learn more about ITAR here https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Apex Technology, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.