Spacecraft Structures Analyst (Opto-Mechanical Focus)

Location: Hybrid, with on-site work required three days per week in San Jose, California. Occasional travel is required for on-site testing with environmental test vendors.

Salary: $183,000–$209,000 per year, plus equity and benefits.

Company

hirify.global is an early-stage space systems provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations for climate monitoring, national security, and other Earth Intelligence applications.

What you will do

• Own spacecraft structures analysis across conceptual design, detailed finite element modeling, structural validation, testing, and post-test analysis.
• Perform linear and nonlinear static, modal, frequency, random response, coupled loads, vibration, shock, and dynamic environment analyses.
• Correlate analytical models with test data, identify root causes, define margins and factors of safety, and support test planning and reporting.
• Develop structural validation strategies, coordinate with test venues and vendors, and direct mechanical tests on site.
• Evaluate design alternatives and make risk-, cost-, and scalability-informed make-or-buy decisions.
• Establish engineering standards and analytical tools while mentoring and supporting the growth of the structures team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering, preferably mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• Extensive experience performing detailed finite element analyses for aerospace systems using FEMAP, ANSYS, or similar tools.
• Experience designing and executing spacecraft structural tests and working as an individual-contributor structural analyst.
• Programming experience in one or more of Python, Matlab, Julia, C, C++, Fortran, or similar languages.
• Strong critical thinking, attention to detail, communication, presentation, coordination, and data interpretation skills.
• Must satisfy U.S. export-control eligibility requirements for access to controlled information.

Nice to have

• Experience with force-limiting principles and opto-mechanical, spacecraft, instrument, or mechanical design.
• Electronic instrumentation experience, including DAQ and signal processing.

Culture & Benefits

• Fast-paced early-stage startup environment with broad ownership and new opportunities.
• Full-time employment with equity compensation.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus a 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance and life insurance.
• Three weeks of paid vacation, 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time, and paid parental leave.