Principal Mechanical Engineer (Spacecraft)

TL;DR

Principal Mechanical Engineer (Spacecraft): Leading the design, analysis, and testing of high-performance satellite structures and components with an accent on system-level tradeoffs and manufacturability. Focus on mentoring the mechanical team, defining engineering standards, and driving the development of next-generation LEO satellite constellations.

Location: Must be based in or able to commute to Mountain View or San Jose, CA (Hybrid: 3 days/week onsite)

Salary: $222,000–$250,000

Company

hirify.global is an end-to-end space systems provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations for climate monitoring and national security.

What you will do

• Serve as a technical advisor and domain expert for spacecraft structures and mechanical subsystems.
• Lead efforts to improve performance, reduce mass, and lower costs for current satellite platforms.
• Collaborate with product and business teams to define multi-year mechanical roadmaps.
• Provide hands-on mentorship to mechanical engineers at all levels to foster technical excellence.
• Define and implement mechanical team standards, best practices, and design processes.
• Contribute to the hiring, onboarding, and training of the mechanical engineering organization.

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in designing, building, and testing flight hardware for the space industry.
• U.S. Person status required to access export-controlled information (ITAR/EAR compliance).
• Expert knowledge of structural mechanics, thermal management, and environmental testing (TVAC, vibration).
• Mastery of CAD (SolidWorks preferred), PLM, ERP, and FEA tools.
• Proven track record of managing external vendors and optimizing designs for various manufacturing methods.
• B.S. or higher in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.

Nice to have

• Experience with deployable structures, optomechanical design, or ADCS components.
• Proficiency in Python or MATLAB.
• Experience managing large assemblies in PDM/PLM systems.
• Track record of establishing engineering standards at an organizational level.

Culture & Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401k retirement plan with company contributions.
• Equity compensation package.
• Three weeks paid vacation, 12 paid holidays, and unlimited sick time.
• Paid parental leave and disability insurance.