Electro-Optical Engineer

Apex

$100K — $120K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering or applied physics field
  • Hands-on experience with multidisciplinary systems
  • Proven hardware or product ownership experience
  • Strong grasp of test engineering principles
  • Demonstrated leadership and time management skills
  • Ability to create subsystem architectures in open design spaces
  • Self-motivated and adaptive in fast-paced environments

Responsibilities

  • Own sensor products from concept to production
  • Provide solutions as the technical authority during production issues
  • Manage project timelines and team tasks across disciplines
  • Oversee verification and validation of sensor subsystems
  • Design and execute comprehensive test and qualification campaigns
  • Conduct failure investigations and integrate findings into future designs
  • Collaborate on integrated solutions involving multiple engineering functions

Benefits

  • Equity opportunities in Apex
  • 100% company-paid healthcare for employees and dependents
  • Generous PTO policy starting at 15 days annually
  • Competitive 401(k) with strong employer matching
  • 8 weeks of paid parental leave plus childcare reimbursement
  • Daily catered lunch and ample snacks
  • Engaging community with monthly social events
  • Customizable work setup to enhance productivity
  • Collaborative workspace with flexibility in working arrangements
  • Opportunity to make a significant impact in cutting-edge industries
Full Job Description
About the Role

Apex is looking for a Sensor Systems Engineer to own our sensor products across the full development lifecycle, from clean-sheet concept to qualified, production-ready hardware. This role sits at the intersection of design, analysis, test, and production, acting as the technical authority that carries a sensor from architecture through qualification and into the field. You'll own how our sensors perform in the real world, driving trade studies that balance performance, cost, and risk, leading verification and qualification campaigns, and closing the loop through failure investigations that sharpen every future design.

Responsibilities:

System ownership
  • Own sensor products through the full development lifecycle, including conceptualization, architecture, design, analysis, prototyping, qualification, and production
  • Support production as the hardware Responsible Engineering Authority (REA), providing technical solutions, guidance, and documentation when issues arise
  • Manage project budget, schedule, and tasking within a multidisciplinary team of engineers

Test Engineering
  • Own verification and validation activities for sensor subsystem requirements
  • Develop and execute qualification and test campaigns, including creation of test plans, procedures, and reports. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and maintain test stations and ground support equipment (GSE/STE)
  • Perform failure investigations and root cause analyses, incorporating lessons learned into future designs and test approaches

Technical Development
  • Perform system- and component-level trade studies to evaluate architectures and designs to optimize performance, cost, schedule, and technical risk
  • Collaborate with teams across structures, thermal, optics, avionics, software, GNC, manufacturing, mission assurance, and supply chain to develop integrated sensor solutions
  • Present technical work at design reviews and create clear, thorough engineering documentation

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related discipline
  • Hands-on experience developing, prototyping, integrating, and/or testing multidisciplinary systems
  • Demonstrated hardware, project, or product ownership experience
  • Strong understanding of test engineering fundamentals and methodologies
  • Demonstrated leadership, time management, and organizational skills
  • Comfortable researching and creating clean-sheet subsystem architectures and designs within an open design space
  • Self-motivated and eager to learn in a fast-paced, collaborative engineering environment

Preferred Qualifications:
  • 1-2 years of experience in aerospace, automotive, or other technical product development/test
  • Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related discipline
  • Experience developing, designing, implementing, and/or testing sensor systems
  • Familiarity with Design for Manufacturing (DFM/DFMA) principles
  • Familiarity with satellite systems and space environments
  • Familiarity with all stages of the hardware product lifecycle
  • Familiarity with project management tools and techniques


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 to reset and recharge - starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays
  • Competitive 401(k) plan with 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 and 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

Ready to join a team where your contributions matter and your future is bright? Let's build something extraordinary together.

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