Senior Propulsion Development Engineer, Test Stand (Hypergolic Propulsion)

Location: Fully onsite in Centennial, Colorado; remote work may be considered only from an approved location within the United States, with monthly office travel

Base salary: $165,000–$235,000 per year, plus equity and benefits

Company

hirify.global develops autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors for U.S. and allied space-defense missions.

What you will do

• Lead the mechanical design of hypergolic propellant feed systems, storage, transfer, pressurization, venting, draining, containment, and neutralization infrastructure.
• Design test-stand structures, thrust-measurement systems, engine and thruster interfaces, run tanks, GSE carts, and supporting facility hardware.
• Create detailed CAD models, engineering drawings, P&IDs, fabrication packages, material specifications, and acceptance criteria.
• Coordinate vendors and oversee procurement, fabrication, assembly, installation, anomaly resolution, and hardware acceptance testing.
• Lead commissioning activities including cleanliness verification, pressure testing, leak checks, functional checkouts, and as-built configuration control.
• Support hazard analyses, operating procedures, permitting, and compliance with OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and DoD standards for toxic propellant operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Chemical Engineering.
• 8+ years of professional experience designing and building propulsion ground systems, test-facility hardware, or high-pressure fluid systems for aerospace or defense applications.
• Hands-on experience with hypergolic, toxic, or highly reactive propellants, including material compatibility, secondary containment, and emergency safing.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools such as NX or SolidWorks and production of detailed fabrication drawings.
• Experience with P&IDs, ASME B31.3 or equivalent pressure-system codes, pressure margins, leak testing, and relief-device sizing.
• U.S. work authorization meeting ITAR requirements is required, including U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence, protected-individual status, or eligibility to obtain required authorizations.

Nice to have

• Experience designing and building hypergolic test stands or spacecraft and launch-vehicle ground fluid systems.
• Experience with hydrazine, NTO, MMH, UDMH, RFNA, cleaning, passivation, and hypergolic-system cleanliness verification.
• Experience with structural analysis, FEA, instrumentation, automated valves, emergency shutdown systems, or hazardous-chemical permitting.
• Active DoD Secret clearance or higher, or the ability to obtain one.

Culture & Benefits

• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage with HSA/HRA options.
• Flexible Time Off for exempt employees or up to 25 accrued PTO days for non-exempt employees, plus paid holidays, parental leave, and sick leave.
• 401(k) plan, fitness reimbursement, equity participation, catered lunches, and office snacks.
• Hands-on, in-office engineering environment focused on building long-term propulsion test capabilities.