Build Engineer (Large-Scale Machining)

Location: On-site in Los Angeles, CA, United States. U.S. citizenship, nationality, lawful permanent residence, protected individual status, or eligibility to obtain required ITAR authorizations is required.

Salary: $150K–$220K per year, plus equity.

Company

hirify.global builds autonomous factories combining AI, advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing for aerospace, defense, and other mission-critical products.

What you will do

• Own large machined parts from design review through qualification, production ramp, and handoff to standard production.
• Interpret customer specifications, drawings, and contract requirements; define machining requirements, critical characteristics, and inspection needs.
• Review designs for machinability at scale, including datum structures, tolerance stacks, stock allowances, tool and probe access, and distortion risks.
• Define machining routes, setup counts, datum schemes, part handling, lift points, fixtures, workholding, and inspection aids.
• Coordinate with Design, Supply Chain, Capability Engineering, Tooling, Quality, CNC Programming, and Operations to introduce new products and processes.
• Plan qualification builds, maintain BOMs and work instructions, manage configuration changes, and lead non-conformance root cause and corrective action.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in build, manufacturing, or production engineering with direct ownership of large machined parts approximately 2 m and larger, including castings, forgings, or heavy weldments, from requirements through production.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Experience defining product and build requirements from customer specifications, drawings, and contract quality clauses.
• Strong GD&T and tolerance-stack skills for multi-setup parts, including proven datum strategy.
• Working knowledge of horizontal boring mills, gantry and bridge mills, large 5-axis machining centers, VTLs, and large-part metrology sufficient to drive DFM and define build flow.
• Experience reverse engineering parts or assemblies from incomplete technical data, legacy drawings, or physical parts.
• Experience structuring BOMs, work orders, and work instructions in PLM, ERP, or MES systems, including engineering change and configuration management.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD and comfort working hands-on on the factory floor under schedule pressure.
• Ability to work on-site at the factory and meet applicable U.S. Government ITAR eligibility requirements.

Nice to have

• Hands-on experience running or programming large-format machines, including reading and critiquing CNC toolpaths.
• Experience with distortion control, stress-relief sequencing, stock strategy, and thermal effects on large parts.
• Experience with Monel, nickel-copper alloys, stainless steel, dissimilar-metal joints, and cladded surfaces.
• Exposure to weld qualification, including PQR/WPS, where machined features meet weld joints.
• Background in aerospace, defense, naval, or energy programs involving first article and customer source inspection.
• Experience establishing a new cell or factory while the product was still in development.

Culture & Benefits

• Hands-on work in autonomous factories and large-format manufacturing.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans.
• 401(k).
• Flexible vacation policy.
• Equity and possible relocation support in certain situations based on business need.
• AI-assisted recruiting tools may be used for organizing data, recording, and transcribing interviews; human reviewers make hiring decisions, and candidates are notified before recording.