Senior Conceptual Design Engineer (Aerospace)

Location: On-site in Huntington Beach, California, United States

Salary: $155,000–$195,000 per year, plus equity

Company

hirify.global is a defense technology startup developing next-generation autonomous and decentralized defense platforms.

What you will do

• Translate mission requirements into viable aircraft, missile, and unmanned vehicle concepts.
• Define vehicle architectures through first-order sizing, configuration development, and multidisciplinary trade studies.
• Balance aerodynamic performance, propulsion integration, structural efficiency, manufacturability, cost, technical risk, and mission effectiveness.
• Drive early system-level integration across aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, payloads, guidance, manufacturing, and related disciplines.
• Partner with Air Vehicle Design Engineers to develop integrated vehicle layouts and preliminary CAD models.
• Present design concepts, trade studies, risks, and recommendations, supporting development through prototype integration and flight testing.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience developing aircraft, missile, or unmanned vehicle concepts through conceptual design, sizing, configuration development, and multidisciplinary trade studies.
• Strong understanding of aircraft or missile performance, aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, and systems integration.
• Ability to make system-level design decisions while balancing technical requirements and program constraints.
• Experience communicating technical analyses and recommendations to multidisciplinary engineering teams and leadership.
• Employment may require authorization to access technology controlled under U.S. export control laws without sponsorship for an export license; U.S. work authorization is required.

Nice to have

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience with MDAO methodologies and design optimization.
• Experience developing UAS, missile, or advanced aerospace vehicles through prototype development or flight test.
• Familiarity with high-speed, high-altitude, or low-observable vehicle design.
• Working knowledge of NX, CATIA, or Creo.

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance-based incentives.
• Equity participation through stock options or equity grants.
• Healthcare, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement savings and paid time off.
• Funding for continuing education, training, and career growth.