Lead Propulsion Engineer (Cryogenic Propulsion)

Location: Mojave, California, United States. This is an onsite role with the propulsion team located in Mojave. Applicants must be a U.S. Person and eligible to obtain required export authorizations under ITAR and EAR.

Salary: $160,000–$240,000 USD annually.

Company

hirify.global develops mission-critical space, defense, and national security technologies, including cryogenic propulsion systems.

What you will do

• Lead and grow the propulsion team developing new rocket propulsion systems.
• Provide technical direction across design, analysis, integration, testing, operations, manufacturing, and flight vehicle integration.
• Design and analyze cryogenic propulsion systems, including combustion devices, valves, feed lines, tanks, turbomachinery, and pressurization systems.
• Develop and review fluid-thermal models, hardware drawings, component specifications, manufacturing instructions, and test plans.
• Lead technical readiness, safety, component, and integrated system reviews and tests.
• Coordinate with chief engineering, project management, vendors, and subsystem leads on technical strategy, proposals, cost estimates, risks, and project execution.

Requirements

• B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a similar engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in rocket propulsion system development, including 5+ years in cryogenic systems; methane and LOX experience is preferred within this requirement.
• Comprehensive experience developing bi-propellant cryogenic propulsion systems.
• Experience in propulsion system design, analysis, manufacturing, integration, and testing.
• Experience coordinating a technical team of 3 or more engineers on a multi-year propulsion development and test project.
• Demonstrated people leadership and the ability to mentor engineers on performance, career development, work-life balance, and individual priorities.
• Ability to make informed risk decisions balancing quality, cost, and schedule across projects involving non-propulsion subsystems.
• Ability to own and prioritize tasks for a team supporting multiple projects.
• Effective verbal and written communication, including technical reports and presentations.
• Must be a U.S. Person: a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), and must be eligible to obtain required U.S. export authorizations.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of propulsion system cycles and system-level engine modeling.
• Proficiency with fluid and thermal software such as GFSSP, ROCETS, RTE, RPA, Amesim, or Thermal Desktop.
• Experience with CAD and lifecycle management tools; SolidWorks is preferred.
• Experience with computational fluid dynamics, especially ANSYS Fluent or CFX.
• Experience using additive manufacturing in engine design.
• Analytical or scientific programming experience with Python, C, C++, or Matlab.
• Experience with advanced rocket engine designs, especially RDREs, rocket turbopumps, and pressure vessel design, fabrication, requirements, or qualification testing.

Culture & Benefits

• Flexible Time Off supporting recharge and work-life balance.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and families, with significant company premium contributions.
• 401(k) plan with a 50% company match on contributions up to 8%.
• Wellness programs, flexible gym memberships, and additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources.
• Mission-driven environment focused on innovation, technical impact, and national security.