Senior Development Engineer (Propulsion)

Location: Auckland, New Zealand; onsite engineering, laboratory, production-floor, and test activities

Company

hirify.global is an end-to-end aerospace company developing and launching rockets, spacecraft, and critical space systems.

What you will do

• Own the development of Electron propulsion hardware, including engines, turbopumps, valves, injectors, and fluid systems.
• Define requirements, develop designs in NX, collaborate with analysis and manufacturing, maintain the EBOM, and release production drawings.
• Plan and run development and qualification campaigns from component rigs through hot-fire testing.
• Define how propulsion hardware is operated and maintained after it enters flight service.
• Manage technical risk, establish mitigations, improve department-level plans, and develop processes and equipment for faster engine development.
• Technically steer multiple engineering projects, communicate technical information, run effective meetings, and coach engineers.

Requirements

• 6+ years of industry experience and an engineering degree.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing and production, including taking products from development into rate production.
• Experience technically steering teams across multiple engineering projects from concept through operation.
• Depth in at least two areas including structural analysis, vibration, CFD, thermal analysis, fatigue and creep, FMEA, or root-cause analysis.
• For the New Zealand role, nationality and background checks are required for access to ITAR-regulated equipment and data.
• Eligibility may depend on citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO member country, subject to ITAR restrictions.

Nice to have

• Master's degree or PhD.
• Rocket, aerospace, or automotive experience.
• Applied analysis experience in structural, modal, CFD, thermal, fatigue, DFMEA/PFMEA, or DMAIC methods.
• Experience with NX, Teamcenter, JAMA, Jira, or equivalent tools.

Culture & Benefits

• Hands-on work across development labs, production floors, and test facilities rather than a desk-only role.
• Fast-paced engineering environment focused on rapid innovation and high safety standards.
• Close collaboration with technicians, engineers, and cross-functional teams.
• Culture emphasizing teamwork, accountability, determination, and delivery under tight deadlines.