Lead Manufacturing Engineer, Vehicle Assembly

Location: Huntington Beach, California, United States. The role includes prototype builds across Huntington Beach and Texas factories and requires extended hours and weekends as needed.

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

Company

hirify.global is a startup defense technology company developing autonomous defense platforms and scalable manufacturing operations.

What you will do

• Own production launches from late-stage prototype builds through full-rate production, including schedules, readiness reviews, risk registers, and recovery plans.
• Lead DFM/A reviews and virtual builds covering assembly sequence, tooling access, GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, error-proofing, and part presentation.
• Define vehicle assembly systems, line layouts, station content, cycle times, capacity, headcount, MBoM, BoP, and BoE.
• Specify, commission, and validate assembly equipment, tooling, fixtures, conveyance, and automation with external vendors through FAT and SAT.
• Lead prototype builds, manufacturing trials, process capability studies, MES work instructions, quality gates, and production ramp activities.
• Set technical direction for Vehicle Assembly, review engineering work, mentor manufacturing engineers, and support team growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial and Systems, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of manufacturing engineering experience leading complex assembly lines from concept through full-rate production.
• Hands-on experience with assembly equipment, conveyance, tooling, fixtures, vendor FAT/SAT, launch schedules, readiness reviews, and risk registers.
• Strong knowledge of line design, line balancing, cycle-time analysis, capacity planning, OEE, ergonomics, error-proofing, PFMEA, control plans, SPC, and structured problem-solving.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD such as Siemens NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks and AutoCAD factory layouts.
• Must meet U.S. ITAR eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain the required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice to have

• Experience in high-rate automotive vehicle assembly, aerospace, defense manufacturing, new factory launches, or startup manufacturing operations.
• Experience with APQP, AS9145, Heliux, DELMIA, EasyPlan, MES platforms, PMTS methods, or NIOSH ergonomic standards.
• Lean Six Sigma certification and experience in ITAR-controlled environments.

Culture & Benefits

• Startup environment focused on rapid manufacturing innovation and national security.
• Healthcare, dental, vision, retirement savings, and paid time off.
• Performance-based incentives and equity participation.
• Funding for continuing education, training, and professional development.
• Work involves close collaboration across engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, facilities, EHS, and equipment vendors.