Mechanical Engineer I (Aerospace Robotics)

Location: Onsite in Pasadena, California, United States. The position requires U.S. citizenship due to program requirements and is subject to U.S. space technology export regulations.

Base pay range: $82,400–$123,600 USD annually.

Company

hirify.global is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems, including hardware for space robotics and ambitious commercial, civil, and national-security missions.

What you will do

• Develop precision mechanisms, robotic systems, electromechanical assemblies, tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment for spaceflight and ground applications.
• Translate program, system, production, and test needs into mechanical architectures, interfaces, packaging concepts, and verification approaches.
• Take hardware through concept development, trade studies, detailed design, analysis, drawing release, procurement, assembly, integration, environmental testing, qualification, and delivery.
• Design motion systems and space mechanisms using actuators, gimbals, gear trains, harmonic drives, bearings, motors, sensors, springs, launch locks, and release devices.
• Create and maintain SolidWorks product definition, including 3D models, production drawings, bills of material, assembly documentation, test procedures, and design analyses.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, systems, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and test teams, as well as machine shops and suppliers, to deliver build-ready hardware and resolve fabrication and testing issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechatronics, robotics, or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience designing mechanical hardware, mechanisms, aerospace hardware, robotic systems, or electromechanical assemblies.
• Experience with SolidWorks or a comparable CAD platform, including 3D modeling and production drawings.
• Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, material selection, manufacturing processes, and mechanical design documentation.
• Ability to apply engineering fundamentals, hand calculations, and analysis tools to design decisions.
• Hands-on experience supporting hardware build, integration, troubleshooting, inspection, or testing.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and test teams.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements. U.S. Government export regulations may also require U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence, protected immigration status, or applicable authorizations.

Nice to have

• Experience with spacecraft mechanisms, robotic manipulators, precision motion systems, actuators, gimbals, deployment systems, or comparable high-reliability hardware.
• Experience with environmental testing, including vibration, shock, thermal-vacuum, or life testing.
• Experience with finite element analysis and interpretation of structural, vibration, or thermal test data.
• Experience taking components or assemblies from concept through fabrication, assembly, test, and production readiness.
• Experience with NASA, JPL, DoD, commercial space, or other high-reliability aerospace programs.
• Strong mechanical problem-solving skills and a practical, hands-on approach to hardware development.

Culture & Benefits

• Onsite work may include prolonged sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
• Benefits include company stock, an Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount, medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, and dependent-care accounts.
• Paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) with company match are provided.
• Additional benefits include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers where available, discounted gym memberships, snacks and beverages, and employee discounts.
• The work environment emphasizes hands-on execution, innovation, teamwork, tight deadlines, and solving demanding spaceflight problems.