Staff Propulsion Engineer (Rocket Engines)

Location: Long Beach, California, United States; requires approximately 15% travel to test and launch sites and may include shifted schedules or weekend work during critical milestones.

Salary: $164,000–$246,000 USD per year

Company

hirify.global develops rockets, manufacturing systems, and launch solutions, including the Terran R vehicle.

What you will do

• Drive engine system architecture and CONOPS trade studies.
• Manage engine interfaces and negotiate requirements to optimize vehicle-level performance.
• Support engine system development across design, production, qualification, and flight.
• Contribute to engine system analysis, simulation, testing, and engineering tool development.
• Lead collaborative technical projects through completion with minimal oversight.

Requirements

• 8+ years of relevant experience, preferably in complex engineering system development or test environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, technology, mathematics, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of liquid-propellant rocket engines.
• Experience applying engineering fundamentals in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
• Demonstrated ownership, problem-solving, collaboration, and ability to deliver on ambitious schedules.

Nice to have

• Working knowledge of fluid components such as valves and instrumentation.
• Working knowledge of engine subsystems including combustion devices and turbomachinery.

Culture & Benefits

• Autonomous, ownership-oriented environment with bottoms-up technical decision-making.
• Opportunity to influence rocket, factory, and business development at a fast-growing startup.
• Competitive salary and equity.
• Generous paid time off and sick leave, parental leave, and an annual learning and development stipend.