Staff Engineer, Aircraft Configuration Design (R5830)

Location: San Diego, California, United States; on-site

Salary: $144,000–$210,000 per year, plus bonus, benefits, and equity for regular employees.

Company

hirify.global is a venture-backed defense technology company developing intelligent systems, including autonomy software, unmanned aircraft, and simulation technologies.

What you will do

• Design and optimize conceptual and preliminary configurations for autonomous UAV platforms.
• Perform aircraft sizing, weight estimation, configuration trade studies, and basic aerodynamic and structural analyses.
• Develop and refine 3D CAD models for aircraft structures, subsystems, and flight-critical components.
• Integrate mechanical, electrical, propulsion, and avionics systems with cross-functional engineering teams.
• Support design reviews, requirements development, verification planning, rapid prototyping, and scaled-model wind tunnel testing.
• Transition aircraft designs from concept through prototype and full-scale production in collaboration with manufacturing teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in aircraft design, configuration layout, or airframe integration.
• Proficiency with CAD modeling tools such as NX, SolidWorks, or similar.
• Basic knowledge of aircraft aerodynamics, structures, propulsion integration, and FEA, CFD, or weight-and-balance assessment.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, technical documentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Active Secret clearance required; offers are contingent on a cleared background.

Nice to have

• Master’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with UAV design, aircraft conceptual design, performance modeling, stability and control, or flight dynamics.
• Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping, wind tunnel testing, or flight hardware development.
• Knowledge of manufacturing techniques, composite materials, and aerospace structural design.
• Active TS clearance or the ability to obtain TS clearance, plus experience in a high-tech startup or defense environment.

Culture & Benefits

• Work in a fast-paced defense technology environment focused on autonomous aircraft and intelligent systems.
• Regular employees receive pay within the listed range, bonus, benefits, and equity.
• Temporary employees receive the listed pay and a temporary benefits package after 60 days.
• Compensation depends on skills, experience, licenses, certifications, and work location.
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits.