Senior Propulsion Engineer, Structures (Aerospace)

Location: Los Angeles, California, USA; in-person collaboration at the Playa Vista office

Company

hirify.global develops and manufactures satellite buses at scale using vertically integrated software, hardware, and manufacturing systems for earth observation, communications, and other spacecraft applications.

What you will do

• Own the mechanical design of propulsion modules, including structures, mounting interfaces, flow controllers, PPUs, thrusters, and related hardware.
• Design structures for launch loads, vibration, shock, thermal environments, vehicle requirements, and spacecraft interface control documents.
• Define mechanical, thermal, and structural interfaces and co-optimize in-house propulsion components with their design teams.
• Perform and review structural analysis, including hand calculations, FEA, strength, stiffness, fracture, fatigue, and random-vibration assessments.
• Partner with manufacturing and production teams on design-for-manufacturing, first builds, integration issues, producibility, yield, and build time.
• Own drawings, tolerance stack-ups, fastening and torque specifications, installation instructions, flight hardware integration, testing, anomaly resolution, and technical mentorship.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field, with 6+ years of relevant experience; alternatively, a Ph.D. with 3+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Substantial experience in structural design, hardware installation, integration, load paths, fasteners and joints, tolerance stack-ups, hand calculations, and FEA.
• Experience designing hardware for launch and space environments, including vibration, shock, and thermal conditions.
• Experience integrating propulsion, avionics, fluidic, or other spacecraft hardware into structural assemblies and ensuring ICD conformance.
• Proficiency with CAD, engineering drawings, and GD&T, including hardware ownership from concept through release, build, and test.
• Must be a U.S. Person under ITAR: U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual.

Nice to have

• Experience with spacecraft propulsion modules, feed systems, electric propulsion components, or propellant routing.
• Experience with serial or high-rate aerospace production, design-for-assembly, environmental qualification testing, or flight hardware operations.
• Experience collaborating with component design teams to co-optimize hardware and system-level integration.

Culture & Benefits

• Fast-growing startup environment with significant investment in employees and equity participation.
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, plus life insurance.
• Paid vacation, holidays, parental leave, and childcare reimbursement for work-related travel.
• 401(k) plan with employer matching, catered lunches, snacks, and a fully equipped workspace.
• In-person collaboration at the Playa Vista office with community events and activities.