About Mach Industries

Founded in 2022, Mach Industries is a rapidly growing defense technology company focused on developing next-generation autonomous defense platforms. At the core of our mission is the commitment to delivering scalable, decentralized defense systems that enhance the strategic capabilities of the United States and its allies. With a workforce of approximately 120 employees, we operate with startup agility and ambition.

Our vision is to redefine the future of warfare through cutting-edge manufacturing, innovation at speed, and unwavering focus on national security. We are dedicated to solving the next generation of warfare with lethal systems that deter kinetic conflict and protect global security.

The Role

Mach develops and operates advanced UAS platforms across a variety of environments and mission profiles. The Autonomous Systems Engineer – Forward Deployed plays a central role in fielding these systems, leading technical operations and complex troubleshooting efforts in live environments. This role requires deep technical mastery of the aircraft, including autonomy software, avionics, radios, and ground control systems. This engineer is the go-to authority on system behavior in the field, leading checklist development, system bring-up, and mission execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead in-field troubleshooting of autonomy stack, avionics, and communications systems

• Serve as the primary technical authority on aircraft systems during field operations

• Author and maintain system checklists for pre-flight, inflight, and post-flight procedures

• Lead ground station operations and flight monitoring using QGroundControl

• Perform final integration, tuning, and validation of UAS platforms prior to flight

• Interface directly with engineering teams to diagnose and resolve software and hardware issues

• Own the execution and documentation of post-manufacturing flight acceptance tests

• Analyze and interpret system logs and telemetry to identify root causes and trends

• Train and support other field team members on best practices, tools, and system behavior

• Support cross-functional test campaigns and deployments both domestically and internationally

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience working with autonomous systems, UAS platforms, or aerospace systems

• Mastery of QGroundControl and experience configuring and tuning UAS via PX4 or Ardupilot

• Strong understanding of avionics hardware, RF systems, and networking fundamentals

• Demonstrated ability to debug complex systems in dynamic, time-sensitive field environments

• Experience creating and maintaining flight procedures and technical documentation

• Ability to travel extensively for field testing and customer demonstrations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with C++ or Python in the context of autonomous systems

• Familiarity with MAVLink, ROS2, and onboard compute platforms (NVIDIA Jetson, etc.)

• Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

• Prior military or government field experience

• Holds or has held a security clearance

Disclosures

This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).  Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license.

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offers may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and training, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in most offers and are considered part of Mach’s total compensation package. Mach offers benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development.

Mach is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. If you’d like to defend the American way of life, please reach out!