Principal Automation & Controls Engineer (Satellite Manufacturing)

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

Base salary: $175,000–$200,000 per year plus equity

Company

hirify.global develops and mass-produces high-power satellite platforms for commercial and U.S. government missions ranging from low Earth orbit to deep space.

What you will do

• Own the production automation roadmap across hardware and control layers in collaboration with mechanical, electrical, and production engineers.
• Conceive, design, and develop electromechanical production tooling and automation assemblies in-house or through vendors.
• Build, activate, and qualify automation and controls projects across the production line, including machine design, robotics, and computer vision.
• Shape the HMI strategy and implement PLC automation for repeatable, easy-to-operate machines.
• Use build-flow, reliability, and process-control knowledge to improve production takt rate and first-pass yield.
• Mentor junior engineers and establish standards, requirements, and design processes for automation projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace, materials, or another relevant engineering discipline.
• 6+ years of industrial automation and controls experience in a production environment, including full-stack ownership.
• 4+ years of experience in high-volume manufacturing, production, or hands-on engineering.
• Strong hands-on aptitude and willingness to work directly with hardware on the production floor.
• In-depth knowledge of precision assembly and electromechanical fabrication, plus the ability to create and review drawings, schematics, and technical documentation.
• Must be a U.S. person under ITAR or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export-control license.

Nice to have

• Experience with industrial automation hardware, PLC/HMI and robotics software stacks, electrical and fluid schematics.
• Experience in space, defense, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments.
• Experience designing automation systems for manufacturability and developing production processes from the ground up.
• Experience working with technicians and build tooling.
• Familiarity with NX or equivalent CAD software and GD&T.

Culture & Benefits

• Opportunity to contribute to vertically integrated satellite manufacturing and higher-rate production.
• Paid time off, medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life insurance and paid parental leave.
• Equity in the company and additional benefits.
• Reasonable accommodations are available during the application and interview process.