Lead Mechanical Engineer, Hardware Test (Aerospace)

Location: Seattle, Washington; on-site

Company

hirify.global develops AI-powered autonomy software and aircraft systems for intelligent operations in contested environments.

What you will do

• Lead a team of mechanical engineers designing, building, and maintaining X-BAT hardware test stands and fixtures.
• Own requirements gathering, concept development, detailed design, validation, and deployment of mechanical test infrastructure.
• Design fixtures, tooling, structural support hardware, and mechanical systems for engineering and production testing.
• Perform hand calculations and FEA-informed assessments covering strength, stiffness, thermal behavior, durability, and safety.
• Partner with test, electrical, avionics, manufacturing, technician, and vendor teams to fabricate, assemble, troubleshoot, and improve test hardware.
• Establish engineering processes, documentation practices, design reviews, configuration discipline, and execution rhythms for the hardware test function.

Requirements

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related STEM discipline.
• Senior or lead-level experience developing fixtures, tooling, or test stands for aerospace, defense, robotics, or other complex hardware systems.
• Experience leading engineers, mentoring team members, setting expectations, and driving accountability.
• Strong mechanical design experience spanning analysis, detailed design, fabrication, assembly, and checkout.
• Proficiency with CAD tools such as NX, SolidWorks, or CATIA, including releasing manufacturing drawings.
• Knowledge of tolerance stack-up, materials selection, fastener design, load paths, GD&T, DFM/DFA, and safe machine or fixture design.

Nice to have

• Experience with propulsion or engine test equipment, high-load structural fixtures, or aerospace ground test systems.
• Familiarity with environmental or qualification testing and facility interfaces such as mounting, cooling, plumbing, and instrumentation.
• Experience with ANSYS, Abaqus, or Nastran.
• Experience working directly with technicians, machine shops, and test operators in laboratory, prototype, or production environments.

Culture & Benefits

• Hands-on work in a fast-moving aerospace hardware development environment.
• Cross-functional collaboration across mechanical, electrical, avionics, manufacturing, test, and technician teams.
• Rapid iteration and practical execution under schedule pressure.