Principal Mechanical Engineer (Aerospace & Defense)

TL;DR

Principal Mechanical Engineer (Aerospace & Defense): Designing and integrating ruggedized electronics, effectors, mechanisms, and mission-critical hardware into ground- and sea-mobile platforms with an accent on mechanical architecture, CAD, prototyping, and environmental qualification. Focus on solving complex cross-disciplinary integration challenges, performing structural and thermal analysis, and leading systems through design, testing, production, and sustainment.

Location: Full-time, on-site in El Segundo, California, United States

Salary: $175,000–$215,000 annual base compensation, excluding bonus, equity, and benefits.

Company

hirify.global develops advanced sensing and detection systems for defense, aerospace, commercial aviation, and border protection applications.

What you will do

• Lead hands-on mechanical integration of electronics, enclosures, effectors, launchers, mechanisms, and support equipment into ground- and sea-mobile platforms.
• Architect and design structures, frames, mounts, enclosures, and mechanisms subject to shock, vibration, thermal, and environmental constraints.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models, large assemblies, and interface control documentation for multidisciplinary integration.
• Perform structural and thermal analyses, allocate requirements, and support compliance with military standards.
• Lead system integration, qualification, acceptance, installation, alignment, and fit-check activities.
• Act as the primary hardware interface with customers, platform providers, suppliers, and manufacturing partners while supporting production transition and field sustainment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in platform-level mechanical design and systems integration for aerospace and defense applications.
• Experience integrating mechanical subsystems and mission systems into vehicles, mobile platforms, or fixed installations.
• Strong CAD proficiency with SolidWorks or an equivalent tool, including large assemblies and top-down design.
• Knowledge of mechanical interfaces, tolerancing, alignment, installation practices, ICDs, hand calculations, and FEA.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Nice to have

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience with mechanisms, actuation systems, vehicle integration, requirements allocation, and commercial FEA or multiphysics tools.
• Experience with manufacturing, assembly, prototyping, additive manufacturing, CNC machining, and fabrication techniques.
• Familiarity with military connectors such as MIL-DTL-38999, ARINC, and micro-D.

Culture & Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance fully paid by the company.
• 401(k) with a 50% company match up to 6% of pay, plus FSA, HSA, and life insurance.
• Unlimited PTO, free daily lunch, no-meeting Fridays, and a casual dress code.
• Competitive base salary, pre-IPO stock options, relocation assistance, and planned annual bonuses.
• Growing organization with 200 employees across five global offices.