Development Test Engineer - Mechanisms (Aerospace)

Location: Torrance, CA; other location: Mariner, California. The role requires on-site operations during critical test campaigns and may involve travel, extended hours, and weekends.

Company

hirify.global develops and delivers advanced defense systems, including hypersonic strike missiles.

What you will do

• Translate system and subsystem requirements into test objectives, acceptance criteria, and verification methods.
• Own development and acceptance testing for flight mechanisms.
• Design and build test stands with load actuators and instrumentation.
• Develop automated software for instrument control, test sequencing, data logging, and analysis, preferably in Python.
• Maintain configuration control, data management, and test documentation while improving test infrastructure, automation, data quality, and test cadence.
• Support flight tests and rocket motor static fires as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or a related engineering field.
• 3+ years of experience developing, integrating, or testing mechanical or electromechanical hardware.
• Proficiency with test instrumentation and laboratory equipment, including DAQs, oscilloscopes, power supplies, and sensors.
• Knowledge of load cells, pressure transducers, LVDTs, and encoders.
• Strong debugging, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis skills.
• Ability to work across disciplines in a high-ownership, fast-moving environment where hardware is the source of truth.
• Willingness to support extended hours, weekends, travel, and on-site operations during critical test campaigns.
• Access to export-controlled information is required; employment or contractor hiring is contingent on the ability to access applicable information without additional export licensing. Classified-information or restricted U.S. Government access may require a security clearance, government authorization, and applicable citizenship or other eligibility requirements if designated.

Nice to have

• Aerospace, automotive, defense, or other high-reliability hardware testing experience.
• Environmental testing experience with vibration, thermal-vacuum, thermal cycling, or shock.
• Flight test, range operations, or hardware-in-the-loop experience.
• Familiarity with requirements verification, qualification evidence, and failure tracking.
• Hands-on machining, wiring, soldering, or rapid prototyping experience.

Culture & Benefits

• Hands-on, rigorous approach centered on direct testing and failure analysis.
• High autonomy and ownership in a fast-paced, ambiguity-heavy environment.
• High standards for reliability, data quality, and test repeatability.
• Systems-level focus on how actuator behavior affects broader vehicle performance.
• Generous benefits package.
• Equal-opportunity workplace with reasonable accommodations available during the application and hiring process.