Lead Manufacturing Engineer, Test (Aerospace)

Location: Huntington Beach, California, United States. On-site manufacturing role with extended hours and weekend work as needed. Applicants must meet U.S. ITAR eligibility requirements and be authorized to work in the United States.

Salary: $140,000–$180,000 USD annually, plus performance incentives, equity, and benefits.

Company

hirify.global is a rapidly growing defense technology company developing autonomous defense platforms and decentralized systems for the United States and its allies.

What you will do

• Own production test strategy from incoming and component testing through subassembly, end-of-line functional testing, rework, retest, and final acceptance.
• Translate product requirements and DFMEA/PFMEA risks into test requirements, coverage maps, limits, and pass/fail criteria.
• Design, source, launch, and improve PCB flashing stations, production test stations, fixtures, software, and data flows.
• Develop test methods for avionics, PCBAs, harnesses, sealed assemblies, propulsion systems, RF, GPS, sensors, actuators, and complete systems.
• Lead vendors and integrators through design reviews, FAT, SAT, installation, commissioning, and production launch.
• Guide engineers, technicians, and integrators while supporting station bring-up, failure debugging, training, documentation, and floor operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, Computer, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing test, test engineering, or production validation for aerospace, automotive, electronics, or similarly complex hardware.
• Experience taking production test systems from concept through FAT/SAT, launch, and rate production.
• Experience with production PCB flashing and embedded firmware configuration, including image control and programming verification.
• Proficiency with Python, LabVIEW/TestStand, C#, or a comparable test development environment, plus 3D CAD for fixture and test interface design.
• Strong knowledge of test strategy, coverage, limit setting, MSA/Gage R&R, statistical analysis, structured problem-solving, equipment specifications, and vendor management.

Nice to have

• Experience in aerospace and defense, UAS, munitions, avionics, propulsion, turbine or jet engine testing.
• Experience with production programmers, ICT, boundary scan, flying probe, automated harness testers, leak testing, RF/GNSS testing, or environmental stress screening.
• Knowledge of CAN, RS-422/485, UART, SPI/I2C, Ethernet, MAVLink, secure provisioning, key injection, signed firmware, AS9100, MIL-STD-810, or MIL-STD-461.
• Lean or Six Sigma experience with Minitab or JMP, and experience establishing test capability in a high-growth environment.
• Active U.S. security clearance or ability to obtain one.

Culture & Benefits

• Startup environment focused on rapid manufacturing innovation and national security.
• Healthcare, dental and vision insurance, retirement savings, and paid time off.
• Performance-based incentives and equity participation.
• Funding for continuing education, training, and professional development.
• Transparent compensation structure and opportunities to work on next-generation autonomous defense systems.