Manager of Propulsion Systems

Location: On-site in El Segundo, California, United States. The role requires U.S. work authorization and U.S. person status for access to export-controlled technology.

Salary: $170,280–$217,580 per year, plus potential stock options and/or long-term cash awards.

Company

hirify.global develops commercial space infrastructure, including in-orbit pharmaceutical processing payloads, reentry capsules, heat shields, and satellite buses.

What you will do

• Own the spacecraft propulsion systems discipline, interfaces, and technical direction across the full product lifecycle.
• Lead the design, analysis, development, testing, and operations of propulsion subsystems and fluid systems.
• Create and maintain vehicle Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams that define spacecraft capabilities in orbit.
• Lead, grow, and hire the propulsion systems engineering team.
• Coordinate technical solutions with GNC, software, structures, thermal, avionics, production, mission operations, supply chain, and mission assurance teams.
• Plan and execute major spacecraft testing campaigns and in-flight operations while establishing engineering standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, mathematics, physics, or a closely related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
• 5–9 years of hands-on spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion experience, including fluid-system or propulsion-subsystem design, build, and test.
• Experience managing, mentoring, or technically leading an engineering team.
• Deep knowledge of propulsion subsystems, fluid-system components, P&IDs, pressurized hardware, and propellant handling.
• Experience developing operational procedures for ground testing or flight operations, with proficiency in CAD and PLM software.
• Must be lawfully authorized to work in the United States and qualify as a U.S. person under applicable export-control requirements.

Nice to have

• 8+ years of spacecraft or launch vehicle propulsion experience spanning design, analysis, testing, and operations.
• Formal management experience, including hiring, performance management, and team development.
• Experience with monopropellant, bipropellant, and cold-gas satellite bus propulsion architectures.
• Experience with fluid-systems performance analysis tools, engineering standards, launch-site processing, or flight operations.
• Exceptional communication skills for translating technical complexity into clear direction and leadership updates.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time employees receive flexible paid time off and 12 paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance are fully paid by the company for employees and dependents, with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.
• Benefits include parental leave, family-building support, wellness reimbursement, and sponsored One Medical memberships.
• 401(k) plan with a 6% immediately vested employer match, incentive equity, and cell phone reimbursement.
• Relocation support is available for new hires if needed.
• On-site workplace perks include daily lunch, twice-weekly dinner, team events, and complimentary EV charging.