Chief Engineer (Spacecraft)

Location: Redondo Beach, United States; onsite

Salary: $220,000–$260,000 per year

Company

hirify.global Space develops in-space transportation vehicles for orbital transport, constellation deployment, precision reentry, and missions beyond Low Earth Orbit.

What you will do

• Own spacecraft system architecture and the technical baseline throughout the full program lifecycle.
• Lead cross-functional trade studies and major design decisions balancing performance, reliability, manufacturability, schedule, risk, and cost.
• Coordinate technical roadmaps with subsystem leads and subject matter experts.
• Define and oversee vehicle-level readiness, certification, design reviews, test readiness reviews, and mission readiness activities.
• Act as the primary technical authority for customers, government stakeholders, launch providers, and external partners.
• Lead anomaly resolution, root-cause investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement across design, production, testing, and operations.

Requirements

• 10+ years of demonstrated spacecraft-domain experience.
• 5+ years leading multidisciplinary engineering teams or managing large-scale technical programs.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aerospace, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing hardware programs through the full lifecycle.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills in fast-moving technical environments.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD TS/SCI or TS/SAP security clearance. Applicants must be U.S. Persons or eligible to obtain an applicable U.S. export license under ITAR/EAR requirements.

Nice to have

• 12+ years leading multidisciplinary engineering teams or managing large-scale technical programs.
• Experience as a Chief Engineer, Deputy Chief Engineer, System Lead, or equivalent spacecraft technical authority.
• Hands-on experience with spacecraft integration, environmental testing, launch campaigns, mission operations, and anomaly resolution.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance and knowledge of U.S. Department of Defense standards and requirements.
• Experience scaling engineering organizations and development processes in rapidly growing aerospace companies.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time employment with potential eligibility for stock options.
• Medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
• Work in a fast-paced aerospace development environment focused on reliable in-space transportation.

Hiring process

• Application submission and resume review.
• Introductory phone interview followed by technical phone interviews.
• Onsite interview and offer stage.