Senior Ground Systems Engineer (Structures & Mechanisms)

Location: Wallops Island, Virginia, United States; the role supports launch pad and production-area activities, including installation, commissioning, testing, and troubleshooting.

Base salary: $100,000–$137,000 USD annually. Total compensation including equity: $140,000–$164,000 USD annually.

Company

hirify.global is an end-to-end space company developing rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems, including the reusable Neutron medium-lift launch vehicle.

What you will do

• Design launch pad and test-site fixed assets, including test stands, launch mounts, and gantries.
• Design launch-vehicle support equipment and large mechanisms such as transportation fixtures, lifting apparatuses, umbilicals, hold-downs, and strongbacks.
• Create 2D and 3D models in NX CAD; size and analyze systems using hand calculations and numerical methods.
• Prepare risk assessments, hazard analyses, FMEAs, component selections, and BOMs.
• Develop and execute test plans, maintain test equipment, and validate launch-pad systems and vehicle interfaces.
• Work with suppliers, technicians, test and operations teams during installation, commissioning, testing, maintenance, troubleshooting, and failure investigations.

Requirements

• ABET-accredited Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent qualification.
• 5+ years of directly applicable design, testing, and/or operations experience in the aerospace or industrial sectors.
• Experience designing large structures and mechanisms.
• Proficiency with CAD software, specifically NX and SolidWorks.
• For US office candidates, eligibility to comply with US Government space-technology export regulations, including ITAR, is required.
• The role may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Nice to have

• Experience with launch-pad systems, oil and gas, process, mining, or similar industries; prior launch-system experience is not required.
• Experience with structural design and analysis.
• Experience with RISA, ANSYS, GFSSP, AFT, Thermal Desktop, or equivalent analysis tools.
• Experience designing fluid systems to ASME, ASTM, and/or NASA ground-system standards.
• Ability to read, understand, and produce fabrication drawings.
• Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment.
• Directly applicable experience from education, internships, or full-time employment in structures or mechanisms design.
• Strong communication skills and ability to build effective working relationships.

Culture & Benefits

• Fast-paced environment focused on innovation, teamwork, tight deadlines, and execution of space missions.
• Employee stock and an Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid vacation, sick time, and 11 paid holidays.
• Flexible spending and dependent-care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match and additional discounts and perks.

Hiring process

• US office applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during application or interviews may contact the designated accommodation resource.
• US office employment is subject to applicable ITAR authorization requirements; New Zealand office candidates undergo background and nationality checks before an offer.