Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Test Engineer I

Location: Long Beach, California, United States; requires travel to test facilities and extended off-site work.

Salary: Base pay range of $115,200–$158,400 USD per year, plus company stock and benefits.

Company

hirify.global is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems for commercial, scientific, and national security missions.

What you will do

• Plan, prepare, and execute engine and propulsion component testing across development, qualification, and production.
• Own the full testing lifecycle, including test planning, setup, instrumentation, operations, data analysis, and reporting.
• Own and maintain test facilities, equipment, testing best practices, and standards of excellence.
• Review and sign off on test plans and reports while ensuring quality and compliance with requirements.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, training, mentorship, and coaching on testing methodologies.
• Support risk-based decisions and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on propulsion system development.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in rocket engine test engineering or an equivalent high-performance field.
• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or another technical engineering discipline.
• Prior experience with engine test facilities and hot-fire testing of liquid rocket engines, including instrumentation, test operations, and data analysis.
• Expertise in instrumentation, automation, and data acquisition using either National Instruments or Beckhoff PLC.
• Ability to travel to test facilities and work off-site for extended periods.

Nice to have

• Experience with hypergolic propellants or with designing, building, or maintaining flight or GSE systems for hypergolic propellant service.
• Technical project management and systems engineering experience, including managing interfaces and deliverables across teams, and the ability to lead technical projects.
• Experience documenting engineering information, including test plans, test reports, and facility configuration management.
• Experience investigating and resolving root causes of anomalies during testing or flight.
• Understanding of aerospace testing such as random vibration, shock, thermal cycle, thermal vacuum, helium leak, accelerated life, and margined performance testing.
• Experience obtaining government approvals through NEPA, permitting, or similar processes for construction, industrial, or test operations.
• Python for data manipulation and post-processing; 1D fluid system modelling.
• Master’s degree or PhD; strong communication, organization, attention to detail, and eagerness to learn.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative, high-accountability environment focused on innovation, teamwork, tight deadlines, and meaningful space missions.
• Employee stock ownership, including an Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage; HSA, FSA, and dependent care accounts.
• Paid vacation, sick time, 11 paid holidays, parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) with company match.
• Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, fitness centers where available, gym discounts, snacks and beverages, and employee discounts.
• The role may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Hiring process

• U.S. office candidates must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or eligible to obtain the required export authorizations under ITAR and related U.S. regulations.