Senior Satellite Mechanical Engineer, Optical Structures

Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

Salary: $140,000–$175,000 per year plus company equity

Company

hirify.global is a Series C space startup developing and mass-producing high-power satellite platforms and optical payloads for missions from low Earth orbit to deep space.

What you will do

• Own satellite mechanical and optical payload hardware from conceptual design through analysis, prototyping, flight manufacturing, qualification, integration, and on-orbit operations.
• Design structural subsystems, electronics thermal heatsinking, lens mounts, and other hardware at the intersection of mechanical, optical, and electrical engineering.
• Perform hardware trades that guide subsystem and top-level product direction.
• Lead subsystem design reviews from kickoff through qualification and subsequent development stages.
• Drive hands-on assembly, alignment, vibration, thermal-vacuum, and modal testing, including analysis correlation and hardware iterations.
• Collaborate with structures, optical, thermal, electrical, GNC, metrology, and manufacturing teams while managing subsystem schedules.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, optical, or another relevant engineering discipline.
• 4+ years of experience in mechanical or optomechanical design and analysis, with a mechanical-heavy background.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD and detailed part and assembly design.
• Proficiency with finite element analysis for modal, stress, and thermo-structural analysis.
• Hands-on experience with prototyping and testing.
• Access to ITAR-controlled information requires U.S. person status or eligibility for a federally issued export control license.

Nice to have

• Siemens NX CAD proficiency.
• Experience designing and testing aerospace mechanical assemblies, including satellite systems, payloads, launch vehicles, propulsion systems, or aircraft structures.
• Knowledge of mechanical design, materials, structural dynamics, and failure modes in space environments.
• Experience with GD&T, precision mechanical interfaces, flexures, optical bonding, and kinematic mounts.
• Ability to design, build, troubleshoot, and iterate hardware independently.

Culture & Benefits

• Equity in the company.
• Paid time off.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life insurance and paid parental leave.
• Non-traditional career paths and hands-on ownership are encouraged.