Graphic Designer, Business Development

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer, Business Development

Company: Apex Technology, Inc.

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-30

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Strategic Visual Communication: Drive Apex's business growth by creating compelling graphics for proposals, presentations, and new business opportunities, directly impacting contract wins.

• Proposal & Sales Support: Develop and enhance visual content for Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and customer presentations, ensuring alignment with brand standards and technical accuracy.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Actively participate in a design collective with Brand Design, Business Development, and UX teams to ensure company-wide design excellence and cohesive brand representation.

• Technical Concept Visualization: Translate complex technical concepts from engineering and product teams into easily digestible and visually appealing graphics and illustrations for diverse audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role bridges creative design with the strategic objectives of business development and sales. Success will be measured not just by design quality, but by its direct contribution to winning new business and enhancing customer engagement through visual storytelling. The "operations" aspect lies in the structured approach to design requests, managing a graphics library, and ensuring process efficiency within the business development lifecycle.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Create and meticulously edit graphics, illustrations, and images to support Apex’s responses to RFIs, RFPs, and other new business development initiatives.

• Partner with the Business Development team to develop and refine slide decks for current and prospective customers, ensuring clarity, impact, and brand consistency.

• Oversee and manage the proposal development graphics library, including content monitoring, necessary updates, and communication with internal stakeholders regarding asset availability and requirements.

• Collaborate closely with the Brand Design (Marketing) team to ensure all graphics adhere to Apex’s brand guidelines, visually elevating the company's public image.

• Serve as a key member of the cross-functional design collective, contributing to company-wide design excellence and strategic alignment across Brand/Marketing, Business Development, and UX departments.

• Communicate effectively with technical subject matter experts to understand complex technical concepts and translate them into clear, digestible graphics and illustrations.

• Develop and maintain an efficient work cadence that prioritizes quality, collaboration, and timely delivery of design assets.

• Consistently produce high-caliber design work that meets or exceeds project deadlines and customer expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative execution and process management. The "operations" component is evident in managing the graphics library, ensuring brand consistency across diverse materials, and developing a structured workflow to meet demanding deadlines typical in business development cycles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for roles requiring 2+ years of professional experience. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 2+ years of professional graphic design experience, with a strong emphasis on supporting technical products and general business/administrative content. Experience within the aerospace, satellite, or defense industries is a significant plus.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Proficiency: Demonstrated expertise in creating visually compelling graphics, illustrations, and layouts.

• Proposal & Presentation Design: Proven ability to design effective graphics for RFIs, RFPs, sales decks, and customer presentations.

• Brand Guideline Adherence: Strong understanding and application of brand standards to ensure visual consistency.

• Technical Communication: Ability to translate complex technical information into understandable visual elements.

• Software Proficiency: Strong command of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint for document and presentation creation.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Experience working effectively with diverse teams (engineering, BD, marketing) under pressure.

• Organizational Skills: Meticulous, proactive, and highly organized with exceptional ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines.

• Communication Skills: Clear and effective verbal and written communication, adaptable to various mediums and audiences.

• Team Orientation: Coachable, team-oriented mindset with the ability to provide and receive constructive feedback.

Preferred Skills:

• Figma Expertise: Experience with Figma for design workflows and collaboration.

• Aerospace/Spacecraft Market Experience: Direct experience in spacecraft, satellite buses, or adjacent markets.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for advanced design tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements highlight a need for a designer who is not only creatively skilled but also highly process-oriented and adaptable. The emphasis on technical communication and cross-functional collaboration points to an operations-minded individual who can manage design workflows within a fast-paced business development environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies in Visual Strategy: Showcase 2-3 distinct projects that demonstrate your ability to translate complex information (technical, business development) into clear, impactful graphics.

• Proposal & Presentation Examples: Include samples of graphics created for proposals (RFIs/RFPs) and sales presentations, highlighting your understanding of audience and objective.

• Brand Consistency Examples: Demonstrate how you've applied and maintained brand guidelines across various collateral, showcasing attention to detail and brand stewardship.

• Technical Illustration Samples: If applicable, provide examples of how you've illustrated technical concepts or product features.

• Workflow Demonstration: Be prepared to discuss your design process, including how you manage requests, collaborate with stakeholders, and iterate on designs to meet deadlines.

Process Documentation:

• Design Request Workflow: Articulate your approach to receiving, clarifying, and executing design requests from the Business Development team, including how you manage scope and prioritize tasks.

• Graphics Library Management: Describe any experience you have in organizing, maintaining, or contributing to a digital asset management system or graphics library.

• Feedback Integration: Explain how you incorporate feedback from technical experts and stakeholders to refine designs and ensure accuracy and effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio is crucial for demonstrating not just design aesthetic but also the ability to support business operations through effective visual communication. Candidates should focus on showcasing projects that highlight problem-solving, process adherence, and measurable impact (e.g., how design contributed to proposal clarity or customer engagement).

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 - $100,000 per year. This range is based on the provided salary data and aligns with industry standards for a Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, considering the specialized nature of supporting business development in a high-growth tech startup.

Benefits:

• Shared Upside: Receive equity in Apex, allowing you to benefit from the company's growth and success.

• Best-in-Class Healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents.

• Life Insurance: $100,000 in life insurance coverage at no cost to the employee.

• Comprehensive PTO: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) package, starting at 15 days of vacation annually, increasing with tenure, plus 10 paid holidays.

• 401(k) Plan: Competitive 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous employer match (100% on the first 3% and 50% on the next 2% of contributions).

• Paid Parental Leave: 8 weeks of paid parental leave.

• Childcare Reimbursement: Up to $350 per day for childcare expenses incurred during work-related travel.

• Daily Catered Lunch: Provided daily to keep employees fueled and engaged.

• Unlimited Snacks: Access to a variety of snacks throughout the day.

• Vibrant Community: Opportunities for social engagement through monthly office events, sports clubs, and family gatherings.

• Workstation Setup: Provision of a tailored desk setup and all necessary tools for optimal productivity.

• World-Class Office: Access to a modern office space in Playa Vista designed for collaboration and work-life integration.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week. While a standard full-time schedule is expected, the fast-paced startup environment may require flexibility and occasional extended hours to meet critical business development deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is comprehensive and reflects a startup environment that prioritizes employee well-being and long-term investment through equity. The working hours note highlights the operational reality of a business development-focused role where meeting deadlines is paramount.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace & Defense Technology, specializing in the manufacturing of satellite buses (spacecraft platforms) at scale. Apex is at the forefront of enabling the growing commercial space industry by reducing the cost and increasing the accessibility of space.

Company Size: The description implies a fast-growing startup environment, likely between 50-200 employees based on the funding raised and the need for cross-functional teams to operate efficiently.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company has raised over $500M in funding, indicating a mature startup phase with significant traction.

Team Structure:

• Business Development Support: This role directly supports the Business Development team, working closely with BD managers, proposal managers, and potentially sales engineers.

• Cross-Functional Design Collective: The Graphic Designer will be part of a broader design group that includes Brand Design (Marketing), Business Development, and UX. This structure emphasizes collaboration and shared responsibility for design excellence.

• Reporting: While not explicit, the Graphic Designer likely reports to a Design Lead, Marketing Manager, or potentially a Business Development Operations Manager, with strong day-to-day collaboration with the BD team.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Visuals: The role requires translating technical data and concepts into clear visuals, indicating a reliance on accurate information to inform design decisions.

• Process Optimization: The emphasis on efficiency, quality, and managing a graphics library points to a need for optimized design workflows.

• Agile Execution: The fast-paced environment and tight deadlines suggest an agile approach to project management and design delivery, common in high-growth startups.

Company Website: https://www.apexspace.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Apex operates in a cutting-edge, high-stakes industry where precision, reliability, and clear communication are paramount. The company culture is likely driven by mission, innovation, and a strong sense of urgency, requiring operations and design professionals to be adaptable and results-oriented.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is positioned as an early-to-mid-career role (2-5 years of experience). It offers a foundational opportunity within the business development and marketing operations function, focusing on specialized design support. The role requires a blend of technical design skills and an understanding of business objectives.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report into a function related to Marketing, Brand, or Business Development Operations. They will work closely with members of the Business Development team, receiving direction and feedback from them, while likely having a direct manager overseeing design standards and professional development.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts Apex's ability to secure new contracts and partnerships. High-quality, compelling visual assets in proposals and presentations are critical for conveying technical capabilities, building trust with clients (especially government entities), and differentiating Apex from competitors. This role therefore has a tangible impact on revenue generation and market penetration.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in aerospace graphics, technical illustration, or proposal design best practices.

• Leadership: Potential to lead design initiatives for specific business pursuits or manage a growing graphics library as the company scales.

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to gain experience with advanced design tools (e.g., Figma, 3D rendering software if applicable) and expand into UX/UI design principles through cross-functional collaboration.

• Industry Knowledge: Build significant domain expertise in the rapidly evolving satellite and aerospace industry.

• Career Path: Potential progression into Senior Graphic Designer, Design Lead, Marketing Designer, or even roles within proposal management or GTM operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a strong foundation for a career in design operations within the aerospace sector. The growth opportunities are tied to both deepening design expertise and understanding the business development lifecycle, making it a strategic stepping stone for professionals looking to make a significant impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Apex offers a "World-class Playa Vista office with the benefit of in-person collaboration." This suggests a modern, well-equipped office space designed to foster teamwork and creativity.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Playa Vista, California, a hub for technology and aerospace companies in the Los Angeles area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office is designed to encourage in-person collaboration, with opportunities to interact directly with colleagues across different departments.

• Tools & Technology: Employees are provided with "your dream desk setup and all the tools you need to be your most productive self," implying access to high-quality hardware and relevant software licenses.

• Team Interaction: The emphasis on "vibrant community" with monthly socials and gatherings indicates a culture that values team cohesion and informal interaction.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, but the role's function within Business Development means flexibility may be required to meet critical deadlines for proposal submissions and client presentations. This balance between structured work and deadline-driven demands is common in operations roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is designed to balance focused, individual design work with essential team collaboration, crucial for a role supporting dynamic business development efforts. The Playa Vista location offers a professional setting within a thriving tech ecosystem.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios. Be prepared to clearly articulate your relevant experience and showcase your best work.

• Technical/Design Assessment: This may involve a design challenge or a deeper dive into your portfolio. Expect to discuss your process, decision-making, and how you approach translating technical concepts into visuals.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: You will likely meet with members of the Business Development team and potentially Brand Design or UX. Focus on demonstrating your collaboration skills, understanding of business objectives, and ability to work under pressure.

• Final Interview: This may involve meeting with senior leadership to assess cultural fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best align with the job description, emphasizing proposal graphics, technical illustrations, and brand consistency.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the challenge, your role, your design process, and the outcome or impact. Highlight how you managed deadlines and collaborated with stakeholders.

• Highlight Technical & BD Relevance: Explicitly point out graphics created for technical products or business development initiatives.

• Quantify When Possible: If you can, mention how your designs contributed to proposal success or improved clarity in presentations.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to walk through your portfolio and answer questions about your design choices, software proficiency, and ability to meet client needs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: If a design challenge is provided, focus on understanding the prompt thoroughly. Prioritize meeting the core requirements and deadlines, then add creative flair. Demonstrate your problem-solving approach.

• Case Study Presentation: Prepare a concise presentation (e.g., 5-10 slides) detailing one or two key projects from your portfolio. Focus on the problem, your solution, and the results, emphasizing your operational and collaborative approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess not only design talent but also an individual's capacity to operate effectively within a business development context, manage projects, and collaborate across teams. A well-prepared portfolio and clear articulation of process are key differentiators.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Microsoft Word & PowerPoint: Essential for creating and editing documents and presentations, as specified in the requirements. Proficiency is critical.

• Figma (Preferred): Experience with Figma is a significant advantage for collaborative design workflows and prototyping.

• Adobe Creative Suite (Implied): While not explicitly listed as required, proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is standard for graphic designers and would be highly beneficial for more complex design tasks.

Analytics & Reporting: Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how visuals impact engagement metrics (e.g., in proposals) is a plus.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable, though familiarity with how proposals feed into CRM systems may be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes tools crucial for document creation and collaborative design. Proficiency in Microsoft Office is a hard requirement, while Figma represents a desirable modern design tool that enhances workflow efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to Apex's mission of providing humankind access to space, fostering a sense of purpose and dedication.

• Excellence & Quality: A rigorous standard for high-caliber work, particularly in proposals and customer-facing materials, reflecting the precision required in the aerospace industry.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working together across departments (BD, Marketing, UX, Engineering) to achieve common goals, valuing constructive feedback.

• Efficiency & Agility: The ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced startup environment, managing multiple priorities and meeting tight deadlines independently.

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for projects and delivering results consistently.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with technical experts and business development teams to gather information and ensure design alignment with strategic objectives.

• Feedback Loop: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement in design quality and process.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a collective design environment where best practices and insights are shared among Brand, BD, and UX teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Apex likely cultivates a culture that blends the high-stakes, precision-oriented demands of the aerospace industry with the dynamic, collaborative spirit of a well-funded startup. Professionals are expected to be both highly skilled and adaptable team players.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Technical Complexity: The primary challenge will be to effectively visualize highly technical spacecraft concepts for non-technical or semi-technical audiences in proposals and presentations.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Meeting tight deadlines inherent to business development while maintaining Apex's high standards for design quality and brand consistency.

• Cross-Functional Communication: Effectively gathering requirements and iterating designs with diverse stakeholders who may have varying communication styles and technical understanding.

• Evolving Brand Landscape: Staying abreast of Apex's evolving brand identity and ensuring all visuals remain current and impactful across different markets (US Gov, Commercial, International Gov).

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Aerospace Industry Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the satellite bus manufacturing industry, its market dynamics, and key players.

• Advanced Design Tools: Opportunities to master Figma and potentially other advanced visualization tools used in the aerospace sector.

• Proposal Operations Acumen: Understanding the end-to-end proposal development process and how design contributes to bid success.

• Cross-Disciplinary Skills: Developing a broader understanding of marketing, UX, and business development strategies through collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a design role supporting a technical, growth-oriented business development function. Overcoming these challenges directly contributes to professional growth and valuable skill acquisition.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operationalizing Design: "How would you approach managing incoming design requests from the Business Development team to ensure timely delivery while maintaining quality?" (Focus on process, prioritization, and communication.)

• Visualizing Technical Data: "Describe a time you had to translate a complex technical concept into a simple, effective graphic. What was your process?" (Highlight your problem-solving approach and communication skills.)

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: "How do you ensure alignment and manage feedback when working with technical experts and sales teams who may have different priorities?" (Emphasize collaboration, active listening, and negotiation skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Mission Alignment: "Why are you interested in Apex's mission to enable humankind's access to space?" (Show genuine enthusiasm for the industry and company goals.)

• Startup Environment: "How do you handle working in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment with evolving priorities and tight deadlines?" (Demonstrate adaptability, resilience, and a proactive attitude.)

• Brand Stewardship: "How do you ensure brand consistency across various collateral, especially when working with different teams?" (Focus on your understanding of brand guidelines and attention to detail.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your solution (design process), and the impact/results.

• Emphasize Process Over Polish: While polished visuals are important, be ready to discuss how you arrived at the design and why you made certain choices, especially concerning technical accuracy and business objectives.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, use metrics or specific examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., "This infographic improved understanding of X by Y%," or "This presentation contributed to securing a follow-on meeting").

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about your software proficiency and how you've handled specific design challenges related to technical content.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing not just design talent, but also the operational mindset required for a role supporting business development. Candidates should be ready to articulate their processes, demonstrate problem-solving skills, and convey enthusiasm for Apex's mission.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-aligned design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your experience in proposal graphics, technical illustration, and brand consistency, aligning with the job description's emphasis on business development support.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 2+ years of graphic design experience, specifically mentioning any work with technical products, government proposals (RFIs/RFPs), or within the aerospace/defense sector. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, how you translate technical concepts visually, and your approach to managing deadlines and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Prepare to walk through your portfolio.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Apex Technology, Inc., its mission, products (satellite buses), and recent news. Understand their position in the aerospace industry and the specific markets they serve (US Government, Commercial, International Government).

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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