We’re in the middle of a new space race – this is the bold declaration from Apex’s CEO as the company scales its satellite manufacturing capabilities from 12 to 80 satellites per month, representing a massive shift in how we approach space technology and creating unprecedented opportunities for job seekers and tech professionals.
The space industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation, moving away from building expensive, exquisite systems toward what Apex calls “proliferated systems” – launching hundreds of satellites into orbit to supply constellations for commercial applications, government initiatives, and consumer electronics. This shift is creating a new space race where the US is competing against adversaries, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for both national security and economic competitiveness.
The Manufacturing Revolution: Scaling from 12 to 80 Satellites Per Month
Apex’s Factory One in Los Angeles represents the cutting edge of satellite manufacturing, but the company’s recent $200 million funding round is enabling a dramatic scaling of production capabilities. Before this funding, the facility could produce about 12 satellites per month. Now, with the new investment, they’re able to scale up to about 80 satellites per month – a more than sixfold increase in production capacity.
This scaling isn’t just about numbers; it’s about fundamentally changing how we think about space technology. The traditional approach of building expensive, custom satellites one at a time is being replaced by a manufacturing model that can produce hundreds of satellites at scale, dramatically reducing costs and increasing capabilities.
The demand for this increased production is even higher than the new capacity can handle, indicating that the space industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. This creates opportunities for professionals across multiple disciplines, from manufacturing and engineering to project management and supply chain optimization.
The Dual Demand: Government and Commercial Applications
The demand for satellite constellations is coming from both government and commercial sectors, creating a perfect storm of opportunity for companies like Apex. On the government side, initiatives like Golden Dome and other US defense programs are pushing for more capabilities in space, recognizing that “space truly is the ultimate high ground” in modern warfare and national security.
The commercial side is equally exciting, with companies like SpaceX pioneering commercial constellations like Starlink, and others following suit. The recent launch of new Apple products that can connect to satellites – including iPhones and Apple Watches – demonstrates how consumer electronics are driving demand for satellite connectivity.
This dual demand creates a robust market for satellite manufacturing, with both government and commercial customers requiring different types of capabilities and services. For job seekers, this means opportunities across multiple sectors and applications, from defense and national security to consumer electronics and telecommunications.
Made in the USA: Vertical Integration and Supply Chain Control
Apex’s approach to manufacturing emphasizes vertical integration and domestic production, with the company proudly displaying “Made in the USA” on its website. This isn’t just marketing – it’s a strategic advantage that provides supply chain security and manufacturing control.
The company uses US components and builds almost everything in-house at their Los Angeles facility and expansion facility next door. This vertical integration allows Apex to control its own destiny and ensure rapid production without relying on external suppliers that could be disrupted by geopolitical tensions or supply chain issues.
This approach proved its value when the company assessed its vulnerability to supply chain disruptions and found “the impact was pretty much zero.” This level of supply chain security is increasingly important as the space industry becomes more critical to national security and economic competitiveness.
The Talent Challenge: Hiring Dozens and Soon Hundreds
The rapid scaling of satellite manufacturing creates significant opportunities for job seekers, but also highlights the talent shortage in the aerospace industry. Apex is located in Los Angeles, which the CEO considers “one of the aerospace capitals of the world,” with companies like SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory nearby.
Despite this concentration of aerospace talent, Apex is “always need more people” and is “hiring dozens and soon to be hundreds of roles.” The challenge is that “there’s not that many people with the skill sets actually required” for the specialized work of satellite manufacturing and space technology.
This talent shortage creates opportunities for professionals who are willing to develop the specialized skills needed in the space industry. The company is looking forward to “increased attention towards aerospace and a lot of students studying this in order for them to eventually join us here at Apex.”
The Government Procurement Challenge: Rethinking Acquisition
One of the biggest challenges facing the space industry is the traditional government procurement process, which hasn’t adapted to the new reality of commercial space manufacturing. The traditional approach involves the government saying “I need some capability” and then paying companies to build specific products for those capabilities.
Apex’s approach is fundamentally different. The company takes investor capital and invests it in building products before the government ever says they need them. When the government realizes they need these capabilities, Apex can supply them “in a matter of days or weeks or months instead of having to wait for years.”
This approach also costs “way less on the taxpayers” because the company gets ahead of demand rather than waiting for government contracts. However, not all government procurement has caught up to this strategy, with many agencies still putting out requirements asking for custom solutions.
The company’s big push is for the government to focus on “commercially available off the shelf parts, actual products like we have here at Apex, instead of reinventing the wheel every time.” This shift could create more opportunities for commercial space companies while reducing costs and increasing capabilities for government customers.
The New Space Race Has Begun
With satellite manufacturing surging, companies like Apex are leading the way into the future of space innovation. Employers in aerospace and tech can capture this momentum by hiring the brightest talent. Post your job on WhatJobs today and connect with professionals ready to shape the next era of exploration.
Post a Job Free for 30 Days →The New Space Race: US vs. Adversaries
The current space race is fundamentally different from the original space race of the 1960s. Instead of competing for prestige and scientific achievement, today’s space race is about economic competitiveness, national security, and technological dominance. The US is competing against adversaries who are also investing heavily in space capabilities.
This competition is driving innovation and investment across the space industry, creating opportunities for companies and professionals who can deliver capabilities quickly and cost-effectively. The stakes are high, and the US “is not in a position to win unless we increase that manufacturing” of space capabilities.
The new space race is also creating opportunities for international collaboration and competition, as countries around the world recognize the strategic importance of space capabilities. This creates a complex geopolitical environment where commercial companies must navigate both market forces and national security considerations.
The Future of Space Manufacturing: What’s Next
The space industry is still in the early stages of its transformation, with many opportunities for growth and innovation. The shift toward proliferated systems and constellation-based approaches is just beginning, and the companies that can scale manufacturing and reduce costs will have significant advantages.
The integration of space capabilities into consumer electronics, as demonstrated by Apple’s recent products, suggests that the space industry will become increasingly important to everyday life. This creates opportunities for professionals who can bridge the gap between space technology and consumer applications.
The future of space manufacturing will likely involve even greater automation, more efficient production processes, and new approaches to satellite design and deployment. Companies like Apex are leading this transformation, but there will be opportunities for many other companies and professionals to participate in this growing industry.
Career Opportunities in the New Space Race
The new space race is creating unprecedented opportunities for job seekers across multiple disciplines. The space industry needs professionals with skills in:
• Manufacturing and production engineeringÂ
• Satellite design and systems engineeringÂ
• Supply chain management and logisticsÂ
• Project management and coordinationÂ
• Quality assurance and testingÂ
• Software development and data analysis
Launch Your Career in the New Space Race
From satellite engineering to software development, the new space race is opening doors to careers once thought impossible. Don’t wait on the launchpad — explore opportunities today. Search for space and aerospace jobs on WhatJobs and take your career to new heights.
Search Space Jobs →The industry is particularly interested in professionals who can work across multiple disciplines and adapt to the rapidly changing nature of space technology. The ability to work in fast-paced, innovative environments is essential, as is the willingness to learn new skills and technologies.
The Economic Impact: Beyond Space
The new space race is having economic impacts that extend far beyond the space industry itself. The development of satellite constellations and space-based services is creating new markets and opportunities in telecommunications, agriculture, transportation, and many other sectors.
The manufacturing capabilities being developed for space applications are also finding uses in other industries, creating spillover effects that benefit the broader economy. This creates opportunities for professionals who can apply space technology to other applications and industries.
The investment in space manufacturing is also creating jobs and economic activity in the communities where these companies are located, contributing to regional economic development and creating opportunities for local businesses and service providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “we’re in the middle of a new space race” mean?
“We’re in the middle of a new space race” refers to the current competition between the US and its adversaries to dominate space capabilities, with companies like Apex scaling satellite manufacturing from 12 to 80 satellites per month to meet growing demand.
How is Apex scaling its satellite manufacturing?
Apex is scaling its satellite manufacturing from 12 to 80 satellites per month through a $200 million funding round, expanding its Factory One facility in Los Angeles and implementing vertical integration to control its supply chain.
What is driving demand for satellite constellations?
Demand for satellite constellations is coming from both government defense initiatives like Golden Dome and commercial applications including SpaceX’s Starlink and consumer electronics like Apple’s satellite-connected iPhones and watches.
Why is vertical integration important for space manufacturing?Â
Vertical integration is important because it allows companies like Apex to control their own destiny, ensure supply chain security, and build products in-house without relying on external suppliers that could be disrupted by geopolitical tensions.
What career opportunities exist in the new space race?
Career opportunities include manufacturing and production engineering, satellite design, supply chain management, project management, quality assurance, software development, and data analysis across government and commercial sectors.
What career opportunities exist in the new space race?
Career opportunities include manufacturing and production engineering, satellite design, supply chain management, project management, quality assurance, software development, and data analysis across government and commercial sectors.
How is government procurement changing for space technology?
Government procurement is shifting from custom-built solutions to commercially available off-the-shelf products, allowing companies like Apex to build capabilities before government needs them and deliver solutions in days or weeks instead of years.
What makes Los Angeles an aerospace capital?
Los Angeles is considered an aerospace capital because it’s home to companies like SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, creating a concentration of aerospace talent and expertise that attracts companies like Apex.
A Real-World Example: David’s Journey into Space Manufacturing
David, a 29-year-old mechanical engineer with a background in automotive manufacturing, never imagined he’d be working in the space industry. “I was working at a car company, but I was looking for something more exciting and innovative,” he explains. “When I heard about Apex’s expansion and their need for manufacturing engineers, I decided to apply.”
David’s transition wasn’t easy. “The space industry is very different from automotive manufacturing,” he says. “The precision requirements are much higher, and the materials and processes are completely different. But the company was willing to train me, and I was eager to learn.”
Within six months, David had become a key member of the manufacturing team, helping to scale production from 12 to 80 satellites per month. “It’s incredible to see how we’ve transformed the facility,” he says. “We’ve implemented new processes and technologies that I never would have encountered in automotive manufacturing.”
David’s story illustrates how the new space race is creating opportunities for professionals from diverse backgrounds. “The industry needs people who can adapt and learn quickly,” he explains. “If you’re willing to put in the effort to understand space technology, there are incredible opportunities available.”
Position Yourself for the Space Revolution
The new space race represents more than just a competition between nations – it’s a fundamental transformation of how we approach space technology and manufacturing. For job seekers and professionals, this transformation creates unprecedented opportunities to be part of an industry that’s shaping the future.
The key to success in this evolving landscape is to stay informed about industry trends, develop relevant skills, and be willing to adapt to the rapidly changing nature of space technology. Whether you’re interested in manufacturing, engineering, or project management, the space industry offers opportunities for growth and advancement.
