Q&A with Shane Wilcox, Production Manager

Q: What excites you the most about working at a company like Apex?

We are in a very exciting time within the new space industry right now. Apex is really bringing a different approach to spacecraft manufacturing, a repeatable, high volume style and mindset. This is what makes me the most excited about the future of Apex. We have the opportunity to turn traditional spacecraft manufacturing on its head.

Q: Why are you excited about space?

I have wanted to join the space industry ever since I had an internship at what was United Technologies Aerospace Systems (UTAS, is now a part of RTX). I had previously completed an internship at Sikorsky Aircraft as well which was a great experience but true space interested me more than the aircraft/aviation industry. UTAS even had a spacesuit on display in the lobby which I always thought was super cool. Then (after my parents convinced me to even apply in the first place) I spent my final summer of undergrad as a SpaceX intern, was completely hooked on the “new space” industry after that and decided to start my career out here in LA at SpaceX.

Q: You are somewhat new hereat Apex. What has surprised you the most so far?

What has surprised me so far is the great company culture that continues to be built at Apex. We are all truly one team working towards the same ambitious goal of becoming the best bus provider of reliable spacecraft in the galaxy. The people are what makes Apex special. It’s not just that what we are doing is different, it’s how we are doing it as well. This approach is what enabled the company to set a record going from a completely clean sheet to a production spacecraft in orbit in one year.

Q: Tell us a bit about what you do in your free time.

My wife and I have a 3 year old Corgi we like to take out on walks around the neighborhood, and other areas of West LA on the weekends. We also have had season tickets for the Los Angeles Rams since 2017 and are very big football fans.I also enjoy gaming and watching esports (a big fan of 100 Thieves), and have kept EDM & DJ’ing asa hobby of mine since I was a teenager. I actually had the exciting opportunities when I was in undergrad at UConn to perform at a show opening for Flo Rida, and another one opening for Cash Cash.

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