Mission Integration Engineer Intern

Job Description

About the Company

Apex addresses a critical, unmet need in the aerospace industry: the demand for commercial spacecraft platforms, known as satellite buses. With the increasing number of launch vehicles coming online and the cost to orbit decreasing, more companies are emerging to launch payloads into space. This trend has created a massive need for these satellite buses, which hold customer payloads and are flown on launch vehicles.

Apex manufactures these satellite buses at scale by leveraging a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware designed for manufacturing. Their spacecraft are fundamental to enabling the future of society, supporting diverse applications from earth observation to communications and beyond. The company’s overarching mission is to provide humankind access to the galaxy.

Apex is described as a fast-growing startup that is well-funded, having secured $200M in Series D funding. They emphasize creating a positive work environment and investing heavily in their employees.

About The Role: Mission Integration Engineer Intern

Role Summary:
Apex is seeking talented engineering students for an exciting internship opportunity to work closely with its Mission Integration team. This role is designed for individuals passionate about space systems and eager to understand the complete lifecycle of space missions, from how spacecraft, launch vehicles, and ground systems collaborate, to how real missions are designed, integrated, and ultimately flown.

As a Mission Integration Engineer Intern, you will support system-level mission planning and integration activities across active programs. The internship provides exposure to end-to-end mission architecture, customer requirements, and cross-functional engineering collaboration. It offers a unique opportunity to approach complex mission challenges with a systems perspective, prioritizing reliability, performance, and overall mission success.

Internship Experience at Apex:
The internship program at Apex is structured to provide hands-on experience and significant professional growth. Key aspects include:
• Mission-Focused Summer Project: Interns will be assigned a project that directly contributes to real spacecraft programs.
• Dedicated Mentorship: Close collaboration with a mentor from the Mission Integration team throughout the project.
• Technical Learning Sessions: Participation in sessions designed to deepen understanding of satellite systems, launch environments, and mission operations.
• Community and Networking: Opportunities to connect with fellow interns and Apex engineers through community events and team activities, aiming to launch careers in aerospace systems engineering.

Mission Integration Engineering: Internship Focus and Responsibilities:
Interns will assist with system-level mission integration activities across spacecraft programs. Responsibilities may include:
• Mission Architecture: Supporting the definition of mission architecture across spacecraft, launch vehicle, and operations elements.
• Mission Analysis: Assisting with tasks such as orbital mechanics, deployment concepts, and trajectory trade studies.
• Technical Budgets: Helping to generate and maintain mission-specific technical budgets (e.g., mass, power, data, pointing).
• Requirements Management: Supporting requirements analysis, verification, and validation activities.
• Documentation & Procedures: Assisting in the development of technical documentation, interface definitions, and integration procedures.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborating with mechanical, electrical, software, and operations teams to ensure system compatibility.
• Reviews & Discussions: Participating in internal design reviews, customer meetings, and technical discussions.
• Risk Management: Learning how technical risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated at the system level.

This role specifically emphasizes systems thinking, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and clear technical communication.

Requirements:
Candidates for this internship must meet the following criteria:
• Graduation Date: Graduating in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027.
• Education: Pursuing a BS or MS in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Interest: Strong interest in spacecraft systems, mission design, and space operations.
• Preferred Experience: Coursework or project experience related to orbital mechanics, space systems, or systems engineering is preferred.
• Tools: Familiarity with tools such as Python, MATLAB, STK, GMAT, or similar analysis tools is a plus.
• Skills: Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to communicate technical concepts clearly, and effectiveness in a team environment.
• Legal Status: U.S. Person status is required due to access to export-controlled data.

Commitment:
• Start Date: This internship will begin in January 2026.
• Options: Both full-time (40 hours/week) and part-time (minimum 20 hours/week) options are available.
• Full-time interns should be prepared to pause or adjust academic commitments (e.g., taking a semester off or enrolling part-time) for the duration of the 10–12 week program.
• Part-time interns must maintain consistent availability during standard business hours to collaborate with their teams.

Compensation:
The compensation for this internship is $40/hour.

Why Join Apex (General Benefits):
Apex aims to create an environment where employees enjoy their work. As a fast-growing startup, they invest significantly in their people. While some benefits are specifically for full-time employees, the overall value proposition includes:
• Shared Upside: (For full-time employees) Equity in Apex.
• Healthcare: (For full-time employees) 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, plus $100k life insurance.
• Time Off: (For full-time employees) Comprehensive PTO package starting at 15 days vacation (growing to 20+), plus 10 paid holidays.
• Retirement: (For full-time employees) Competitive 401(k) plan with generous matching (100% match on the first 3%, 50% on the next 2%).
• Parental Leave: (For full-time employees) 8 weeks paid parental leave plus childcare reimbursement up to $350/day for work-related travel.
• Amenities: Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks.
• Community: Monthly office BBQs, pickleball tournaments, run club, and social gatherings for employees and their families.
• Work Environment: Provision of a dream desk setup and all necessary tools.
• Office Location: World-class Playa Vista office with EV chargers, promoting in-person collaboration with flexibility.
• Impact: Opportunity to work alongside experts from aerospace, new space, and other cutting-edge industries to make a lasting difference.

Apex Technology, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity, inclusion, and evaluating candidates based on merit, qualifications, and performance.