Spacecraft Structures Test Engineer (Aerospace)

Location: Los Angeles, United States; in-person work at the Playa Vista office

Salary: $100K–$187K annual base salary, excluding additional benefits

Company

hirify.global is a fast-growing aerospace startup that manufactures satellite buses at scale using software, vertical integration, and manufacturing-focused hardware.

What you will do

• Own structural test strategy and execution for components, subsystems, and fully integrated spacecraft.
• Develop and operate fluid, hydraulic, pressurized, high-pressure, and cryogenic test systems.
• Design and integrate data acquisition and instrumentation, including strain gauges, load cells, pressure transducers, and thermocouples.
• Write and automate test procedures and data-analysis scripts primarily in Python.
• Lead test operations from setup and execution through post-test review.
• Troubleshoot hardware failures and collaborate with design, analysis, avionics, and manufacturing teams on root-cause analysis and design improvements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or a related engineering field.
• 3+ years of experience in spacecraft, launch vehicle, or complex structural testing.
• Experience designing large-scale structural test stands or load application systems.
• Strong knowledge of structural mechanics, including strength, stability, and fatigue.
• Experience with structural analysis, hand calculations and/or FEM, test correlation, instrumentation, and laboratory equipment.
• Experience designing, building, or operating structural test systems and automating tests with Python or similar scripting languages.

Nice to have

• Experience with environmental testing, including TVAC, vibration, shock, or EMI/EMC.
• Familiarity with NX/Teamcenter, Nastran, or ANSYS.
• Experience with high-pressure or cryogenic systems.

Culture & Benefits

• Equity participation and a fast-growing environment with significant company funding.
• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, plus life insurance.
• Paid time off starting at 15 vacation days, increasing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays.
• 401(k) plan with employer matching and eight weeks of paid parental leave.
• Childcare reimbursement for work-related travel, daily catered lunch, snacks, and a fully equipped workspace.
• In-person collaboration, office events, and opportunities to work with aerospace and new-space specialists.