Principal Mission Systems Engineer, IPT Lead

Location: El Segundo, California, United States; onsite

Salary: $198,000–$300,000 annual base compensation, excluding bonus, equity, and benefits.

Company

hirify.global develops defense products powered by Coherent Distributed Networks for military, commercial aviation, and border protection applications.

What you will do

• Own the Massed Modular Aircraft mission systems architecture, including payload and sensor employment, mission planning, execution logic, and operational data flows.
• Translate USAF CONOPS, TTPs, and operational employment concepts into traceable requirements and architecture decisions.
• Define interfaces across avionics, the Ground Control Station, payloads, sensors, and joint command-and-control systems.
• Lead mission-level trade studies, utility analysis, wargaming, mission-thread development, and operational employment reviews.
• Define mission-level verification, developmental test, and operational test approaches using representative mission scenarios.
• Serve as the senior mission systems authority and coordinate with engineering disciplines, USAF stakeholders, test organizations, evaluators, and government customers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline; an advanced degree is preferred.
• 15+ years of mission systems engineering experience with direct hands-on USAF mission operations experience.
• Experience translating CONOPS and TTPs into engineering requirements and design decisions.
• Strong understanding of mission planning, sensor and payload employment, and C2 interoperability in USAF operations.
• Experience with developmental or operational test planning and execution involving operational stakeholders.
• Direct experience with unmanned aircraft system mission operations, including remotely piloted or autonomous employment concepts.

Nice to have

• Former USAF operator experience as a pilot, sensor operator, intelligence specialist, or mission planner.
• Familiarity with USAF and joint tactical data links and C2 systems.
• Experience with DoD proposal efforts, mission utility analysis, and CONOPS development.
• Experience with modular, attritable, low-cost, or mass-producible aircraft programs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Secret, Top Secret, or SCI clearance.

Culture & Benefits

• Onsite work with a growing organization of 500+ employees across five offices.
• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) with a 50% company match up to 6% of pay, plus FSA, HSA, and life insurance.
• Unlimited PTO, casual dress, free daily onsite lunch, and a stocked kitchen.
• Relocation assistance, pre-IPO stock options, and planned annual bonuses.