Lead Build Engineer (Composites)

Location: Huntington Beach, California, United States; on-site

Salary: $145,000–$175,000 per year, plus equity

Company

hirify.global is a rapidly growing defense technology startup developing next-generation autonomous defense platforms and advanced composite manufacturing capabilities.

What you will do

• Lead hands-on builds of composite structures and assemblies, including airframes, tanks, ducts, and control surfaces.
• Drive daily execution against build schedules by removing blockers, re-sequencing work, and maintaining production momentum.
• Define and execute bonding, fastening, trimming, finishing, layup, and oven or autoclave cure operations.
• Lead fit-up, alignment, tolerance closure, structural testing, and functional testing of composite assemblies.
• Investigate bond failures, delamination, voids, and distortion, implementing permanent corrective actions.
• Define build sequences, tooling requirements, work instructions, line bring-up activities, and operator training.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience with composite structures in aerospace, defense, or high-performance automotive.
• Demonstrated experience building real hardware, not only designing it.
• Deep experience with at least one of prepreg layup and oven or autoclave cure, resin infusion or RTM, or filament winding.
• Strong knowledge of composite failure modes, tooling design, cure behavior, adhesives, and bonded joint design.
• Experience scaling from prototype to production and interpreting ply books, laminate schedules, engineering drawings, and GD&T. U.S. work authorization is required, and export-controlled technology access may require authorization without export-license sponsorship.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with NDI methods such as ultrasound, CT, or thermography.
• Experience with CNC trimming of composites, ply cutting, kitting, and material handling systems.

Culture & Benefits

• Work in a fast-moving defense technology startup with approximately 350 employees.
• Healthcare, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plans and paid time off.
• Performance-based incentives and equity participation.
• Funding for continuing education, training, and professional development.