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Salary: USD 105,000 - 140,000 / annual
Mach Industries, founded in 2023, is a rapidly growing defense technology company with ~350 employees focused on developing next-generation autonomous defense platforms. The company operates with startup agility while delivering scalable, decentralized defense systems for the U.S. and its allies.
The Forward Deployed Autonomous Systems Engineer (FDASE) role is a hands-on engineering position supporting the integration, testing, deployment, and operation of autonomous aircraft and supporting systems. This is not primarily a pilot role; success requires technical ownership, disciplined execution, sound field judgment, and the ability to translate operational experience into better products and procedures.
Key responsibilities include:
- Configure, inspect, test, and operate autonomous vehicles and supporting equipment per approved procedures and checklists
- Conduct checkouts and preflight activities for aircraft and ground systems
- Verify mission packouts and maintain accountability for tools, equipment, spares, and support systems
- Perform routine equipment maintenance and field-level troubleshooting
- Identify, document, and escalate technical issues to engineering teams
- Support mission planning, test preparation, and execution for flight tests and customer demonstrations
- Contribute to vehicle checklists, procedures, and continuous process improvements
- Provide clear, actionable feedback to engineering teams based on test and field experience
- Participate in multi-day field deployments, flight tests, and demonstrations
- Support integration and troubleshooting of avionics, communications systems, sensors, companion computers, and flight-control systems
- Maintain accurate operational records and ensure vehicles remain deployment-ready
- Work effectively across engineering, flight test, manufacturing, logistics, and program teams
As you grow in the role, additional responsibilities may include leading mission planning and field deployments, leading checklist development and configuration-control efforts, coordinating with military ranges and government customers, serving as a subject-matter expert, supporting initial flights of new vehicle configurations, defining deployment packouts, developing operator training materials, mentoring new engineers, and owning portions of flight-readiness reviews.
The role requires frequent travel and availability for extended hours and weekends as needed. ITAR compliance is required: applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
REQUIREMENTS:
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in robotics, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or relevant STEM discipline; or equivalent hands-on technical experience
- Fundamental understanding of unmanned aircraft systems, robotics, or integrated electromechanical systems
- Familiarity with flight-control concepts and common autopilot ecosystems (PX4 or ArduPilot)
- Experience using ground-control applications (QGroundControl or Mission Planner)
- Basic Linux command-line proficiency
- Basic networking and radio-frequency fundamentals
- Ability to perform basic electrical troubleshooting and soldering
- Familiarity with Git or version-control systems
- Ability to interpret, execute, and help improve technical checklists and procedures
- Strong attention to detail, personal accountability, and sound technical judgment
- Ability to communicate technical problems clearly and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams
- Ability to travel frequently and support multi-day deployments in field conditions
- Ability to obtain FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
- Ability to meet security, export-control, or customer-access requirements
Preferred:
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (already held)
- Experience operating, integrating, or maintaining unmanned aircraft or robotic systems
- Experience supporting Department of Defense tests, demonstrations, or operational deployments
- Experience with international demonstrations or field deployments
- Proficiency in Python, C++, Rust, Bash, or applicable programming/scripting languages
- Experience analyzing system logs and performing structured root-cause analysis
- Experience troubleshooting radio-frequency systems or integrating tactical communications
- Experience integrating sensors, avionics, companion computers, or embedded systems
- Familiarity with Arduino or embedded development platforms
- Experience with hardware-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop, or iron-bird test environments
- Experience with high-speed cameras or specialized test instrumentation
- Experience supporting first flight of new aircraft or vehicle configurations
- Understanding of subsystem interactions across avionics, communications, flight controls, payloads, and ground systems
- Experience preparing or presenting material for flight-readiness reviews
- Experience developing checklists, training materials, mission plans, or deployment packouts
- Experience coordinating with military ranges, government customers, or program sponsors
