Staff Engineer, Mechanical Design - Launch and Recovery Systems (Aerospace)

Location: Dallas, Texas, United States; on-site

Salary: $136,730–$205,096 per year, plus bonus, benefits, and equity for regular full-time employees

Company

hirify.global is a venture-backed defense technology company developing AI-powered autonomous aircraft, autonomy software, and simulation technologies for national defense.

What you will do

• Design and develop Ground Support Equipment, including power units, transport structures, launch and recovery systems, and maintenance tools.
• Create CAD models, manufacturing drawings, specifications, and system layouts.
• Conduct structural, thermal, finite element, fatigue, and lifecycle analyses for ruggedized field equipment.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, flight operations, and mission teams to integrate ground systems with aircraft.
• Lead trade studies, prototyping, testing, validation, and system optimization for portability, ruggedness, maintainability, and reliability.
• Prepare technical documentation, test procedures, support manuals, and engineering support for flight test campaigns.

Requirements

• 7+ years of mechanical design experience in aerospace, Ground Support Equipment, or heavy industrial systems.
• Expertise with CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, or similar.
• Strong knowledge of structural analysis, material selection, and manufacturing processes for ruggedized systems.
• Experience designing deployable, transportable, field-ready aerospace support equipment and working with MIL-STD design requirements.
• Experience with finite element analysis, thermal analysis, and fatigue or lifecycle testing.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, agile environment with evolving priorities; ability to obtain an S//SAR security clearance is desired.

Nice to have

• Experience designing UAS or military aircraft Ground Support Equipment.
• Knowledge of power distribution, hydraulics, and environmental control systems for aerospace applications.
• Experience with DoD acquisition, sustainment, and field deployment strategies.
• Experience supporting military aircraft maintenance and sustainment operations.
• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance, or ability to obtain one.

Culture & Benefits

• Regular full-time employees receive benefits, bonus eligibility, and equity.
• Temporary employees receive a temporary benefits package applicable after 60 days.
• Employment offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check.
• Equal opportunity workplace with reasonable accommodation available for disabilities or special needs.
• Human review remains part of the hiring process when AI-assisted application assessment tools are used.