Manufacturing Facilities Engineer

Manufacturing Facilities 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

As Apex continues to expand its satellite manufacturing footprint, we are seeking a Manufacturing Facilities Engineer to support facility planning, manufacturing layout development, factory optimization initiatives, process utility planning, and execution of facility-related projects across engineering, laboratory, integration, clean room, warehouse, and manufacturing environments.

This role focuses on manufacturing-related facility planning, including equipment utility support, process utility coordination, facility readiness, and production area optimization. The position partners closely with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, EHS, and Facilities teams to develop facility solutions that support business growth, improve workflow efficiency, and enable manufacturing operations.

This is a hands-on individual contributor role responsible for developing facility layouts, coordinating equipment installations, planning manufacturing utility requirements, and executing small-to-medium facility projects from concept through implementation.

Key Responsibilities

Space Planning & Layout Development (Approximately 30%)

• Develop and maintain facility layouts, floor plans, equipment arrangements, utility plans, and occupancy drawings using AutoCAD.

• Translate operational and manufacturing requirements into functional facility and production layouts.

• Create conceptual and detailed space plans for offices, laboratories, warehouses, production areas, integration areas, clean rooms, and support functions.

• Evaluate space utilization and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, capacity, and operational effectiveness.

• Maintain facility drawing standards and ensure facility documentation remains current and accurate.

Manufacturing Layout & Factory Optimization (Approximately 20%)

• Analyze workflow, personnel movement, material flow, storage requirements, and equipment placement to improve manufacturing efficiency.

• Develop layout alternatives and facility solutions that support production growth, operational objectives, and changing business requirements.

• Support factory optimization initiatives through improved space utilization, workstation configuration, and production-area organization.

• Coordinate production area reconfigurations, workstation relocations, and equipment moves.

• Partner with Operations and Manufacturing Engineering to implement facility improvements that enhance productivity and throughput.

Manufacturing Process Utilities & Equipment Support (Approximately 25%)

• Plan and coordinate process utilities including process piping, compressed gases, compressed air, process water, DI water, industrial fluids, and waste lines.

• Support electrical planning for manufacturing equipment, including load identification, panel capacity checks, conduit routing, and point-of-use power drops.

• Develop equipment utility matrices and evaluate facility impacts for new tools and production equipment.

• Coordinate tool hook-ups, utility routing, and facility readiness for equipment installations.

• Support planning for localized exhaust, fume extraction, and point-of-use ventilation systems supporting manufacturing processes.

• Ensure manufacturing utility systems meet operational, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Facility Projects (Approximately 20%)

• Lead small-to-medium facility modification projects from planning through implementation and closeout.

• Develop project schedules, milestones, and Gantt charts to support project execution.

• Prepare preliminary project scopes, schedules, and budget estimates to support facility planning and decision-making.

• Coordinate contractors, vendors, consultants, and internal stakeholders to ensure project objectives are achieved.

• Monitor project scope, schedule, and risks and provide regular project status updates.

• Evaluate facility impacts associated with equipment installations, including space, utilities, access, infrastructure, and operational requirements.

• Participate in commissioning, occupancy readiness, and project closeout activities.

Documentation & Coordination (Approximately 5%)

• Maintain facility records, occupancy data, project documentation, and drawing archives.

• Prepare project reports, facility studies, layouts, presentations, and planning documentation.

• Support development of facility standards, planning guidelines, and space management processes.

• Maintain project schedules, action logs, and supporting project records.

• Coordinate facility requirements for new equipment, personnel growth, and organizational changes.

Required Qualifications

• All applicants must be a U.S. Person due to export control requirements.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Facilities Management, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

• Minimum of 4 years and typically 4–8 years of experience in facility planning, manufacturing layout planning, industrial engineering, facilities project management, or a related discipline.

• Experience supporting manufacturing, aerospace, defense, technology, or industrial environments.

• Proficiency with AutoCAD and facility layout development.

• Experience developing facility layouts and translating operational requirements into facility solutions.

• Experience leading small-to-medium facility projects from planning through implementation.

• Ability to read and interpret facility drawings, equipment layouts, utility requirements, and construction documents.

• Strong project coordination, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting aerospace or defense manufacturing environments.

• Experience supporting clean rooms, laboratories, production test areas, integration facilities, or other technically controlled manufacturing environments.

• Familiarity with facility planning considerations related to contamination control, environmental controls, ESD-sensitive operations, or precision manufacturing processes.

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, 5S, continuous improvement, or workflow optimization initiatives.

• Experience with project management software such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet.

• Experience supporting equipment installations, facility modifications, or construction projects.

• Familiarity with CAFM, IWMS, or CMMS platforms.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to work across office, laboratory, warehouse, manufacturing, integration, and clean room environments.

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.

• Ability to walk active production floors and navigate construction areas safely.

• Ability to use required PPE in designated production and construction areas.

• Ability to access rooftops, mechanical spaces, utility corridors, and construction work areas as required.

• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods while performing planning, design, documentation, and project coordination activities.

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: 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/