Principal Forward Deployable Autonomous Systems Engineer (Autonomous Systems)

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

Salary: $200,000–$240,000 per year, plus equity

Company

hirify.global is a rapidly growing defense technology startup developing next-generation autonomous defense platforms and scalable, decentralized defense systems.

What you will do

• Lead technical execution of developmental testing, customer demonstrations, operational evaluations, military exercises, and deployed missions.
• Develop mission concepts that integrate engineering objectives, operational constraints, customer requirements, logistics, and safety considerations.
• Integrate autonomy software, communications, payloads, sensors, ground systems, and operational workflows into cohesive capabilities.
• Prepare systems, personnel, support equipment, and operational plans for safe and disciplined mission execution.
• Diagnose and resolve multidisciplinary issues across hardware, software, networking, autonomy, instrumentation, and mission systems.
• Represent Mach with customers, government stakeholders, and operational users while incorporating field lessons into product development.

Requirements

• Engineering degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, computer engineering, robotics, computer science, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience developing, integrating, testing, or operating autonomous systems.
• Experience leading complex technical efforts through direct execution.
• Strong knowledge of autonomous aircraft, embedded systems, networking, mission software, and system integration.
• Experience planning and executing developmental testing, operational demonstrations, or deployed engineering activities.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States; the role may involve U.S. export-controlled information under EAR and ITAR.

Nice to have

• Experience with range organizations, operational safety processes, or mission approvals.
• Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or comparable autonomous flight architectures.
• Familiarity with Linux, embedded computing, telemetry analysis, communications systems, and mission planning tools.
• Willingness to support frequent domestic and international travel.

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance-based incentives and equity participation.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings, and paid time off.
• Funding for continuing education, training, and professional development.
• Startup environment focused on rapid innovation, manufacturing, and national security.