Staff Mission Manager

Apex

$125K — $150K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • U.S. Person status to access export controlled data.
  • Bachelor's in Engineering, Business, or related field; advanced degrees preferred.
  • 10+ years in technical program, project, or mission management, ideally in space/aerospace/defense.
  • Active Top Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance desired but not required.
  • Strong understanding of satellite technology and spacecraft systems.

Responsibilities

  • Act as the senior contact for Apex customers, overseeing communication and execution of satellite bus development.
  • Lead high-priority missions, coordinating execution across various teams.
  • Manage mission schedules, milestones, and deliverables to uphold commitments.
  • Identify and mitigate mission-level risks and challenges, resolving critical issues promptly.
  • Communicate complex technical information clearly to customers and stakeholders.
  • Drive alignment and decisions among stakeholders in fast-paced environments.
  • Lead improvements in mission management processes and mentor other Mission Managers.

Benefits

  • Equity participation through company stock.
  • 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for employees and their dependents.
  • 15+ days of vacation, increasing to 20+ days, plus 10 paid holidays.
  • Generous 401(k) matching plan.
  • 8 weeks of paid parental leave and childcare reimbursement for travel-related expenses.
  • Daily catered lunches and unlimited snacks.
  • Vibrant community culture with monthly events and activities.
  • Customized workspace and necessary tools for productivity.
  • A modern office environment in Playa Vista for collaborative work.
Full Job Description
About the Role

Apex is seeking a Staff Mission Manager to lead complex customer missions through the satellite bus development and delivery lifecycle. In this role, you will serve as a senior customer interface and drive execution across engineering, manufacturing, Supply Chain, Mission Services, and other teams.

This role requires a high degree of autonomy, strong technical judgment, and the ability to navigate complex customer and cross-functional challenges. You will identify risks, drive resolution of critical issues, and align stakeholders around decisions and execution.

As a Staff Mission Manager, you will help shape how Apex manages missions at scale by establishing best practices, mentoring other Mission Managers, and driving improvements to mission execution processes over the lifecycle of commercial and government programs.

Responsibilities:
  • Serve as the senior point of contact for Apex customers, owning communication, alignment, and execution throughout the satellite bus development and delivery lifecycle.
  • Lead complex, high-priority, or strategically important missions, driving cross-functional execution across engineering, manufacturing, Supply Chain, Mission Services, and other teams.
  • Establish and manage integrated mission schedules, milestones, dependencies, and deliverables to ensure customer and business commitments are met.
  • Proactively identify and mitigate mission-level risks, technical challenges, and roadblocks, driving resolution of high-impact issues and escalating effectively when needed.
  • Translate complex technical and programmatic information into clear customer communication and decisions, serving as a trusted escalation point for customer concerns.
  • Drive alignment and decision-making across stakeholders, resolving competing priorities and maintaining execution in ambiguous or rapidly changing environments.
  • Lead improvements to mission management processes, tools, and operating mechanisms while identifying opportunities to improve mission execution across Apex.
  • Mentor and provide guidance to other Mission Managers, helping establish consistent execution standards and raising the overall capability of the Mission Services organization.


Requirements:
  • U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export controlled data.
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field. Advanced degrees are a plus.
  • 10+ years of experience in technical program, project, mission, or systems management, preferably in the space, aerospace, or defense industry.
  • Active Top Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance desired, but not required
  • Demonstrated experience independently leading complex, technically sophisticated programs with significant customer, schedule, and execution requirements.
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive execution across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and other functions without direct authority.
  • Strong understanding of satellite technology, spacecraft systems, and the space industry.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify and mitigate program risks, resolve high-impact issues, manage dependencies, and drive decisions in ambiguous and rapidly changing environments.
  • Exceptional customer and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and executive audiences.
  • Demonstrated leadership through influence, including mentoring other program or mission managers and improving mission management processes, tools, and execution standards.
  • PMP, CAPM, or equivalent project management certification is required.


#LI-RC1
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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