Head of Mechanical Engineering

Mach is a defense manufacturing company that builds munitions to help the United States win future wars. Backed by $85M in funding from top venture firms, our small lean team ideates, designs, manufactures, and sells cutting-edge weapons to the Department of Defense.

Mach Industries is seeking a Head of Mechanical Engineering to lead the design and development of advanced airframe and mechanical systems for next-generation autonomous defense platforms. As the Head of Mechanical Engineering, you will oversee the entire mechanical engineering function, ensuring that our air vehicle structures, airframes, and associated systems meet performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency goals. Your expertise will shape the development of high-performance, manufacturable systems, providing the United States with a strategic advantage in the evolving landscape of modern warfare.

At Mach Industries, we build next-generation platforms that maintain an allied American edge. The future of warfare lies in decentralized unmanned systems, and we aim to produce these platforms at scale using flexible, adaptable factories. As the Head of Mechanical Engineering, you will work at the intersection of innovation and execution, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to design mechanical and structural systems that support modular, scalable production and ensure that our platforms deliver reliability, adaptability, and strategic value.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the mechanical engineering function, overseeing the design and development of air vehicle structures, airframes, and related mechanical systems for defense platforms.
• Drive the end-to-end mechanical design process, from conceptual design and CAD modeling through prototyping, testing, and integration into unmanned air vehicles.
• Develop lightweight, high-strength structural designs for airframes, ensuring durability, performance, and compliance with mission-critical requirements.
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines, including propulsion, avionics, and systems integration, to deliver systems optimized for aerodynamics, thermal management, and load-bearing performance.
• Provide technical mentorship and leadership to the mechanical engineering team, fostering a culture of innovation, precision, and mission focus.
• Ensure that mechanical systems and airframe designs are optimized for manufacturability and scalability, enabling high-volume production at decentralized factories.
• Develop and refine assembly, integration, and testing processes for complex mechanical systems, leveraging advanced automation and rapid prototyping techniques.
• Research and implement emerging materials and manufacturing technologies, including composite materials, additive manufacturing, and lightweight alloys.

Basic Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, with a focus on air vehicle structures, airframes, and complex mechanical systems.
• Proven ability to take mechanical systems from concept to prototype, with hands-on experience in design, testing, and iteration.
• Expertise in structural analysis, aeroelasticity, and materials science for air vehicle and airframe applications.
• Proficiency in CAD tools (e.g., NX, SolidWorks) and engineering analysis tools (e.g., FEA, CFD) to drive design decisions and ensure system integrity.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, including composites fabrication, machining, and additive manufacturing, with a focus on lightweight, high-strength designs.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field. A PhD is a plus.
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to guide and inspire a high-performing engineering team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience with air vehicle mechanical systems, including aerodynamic structures, landing gear, thermal systems, or other airframe components.
• Experience in high-volume production environments, with expertise in developing modular, scalable designs.
• Familiarity with defense systems requirements, including DoD standards for mechanical and structural systems.
• Expertise in advanced materials and innovative manufacturing processes tailored for air vehicle applications.

Why Mach Industries?

At Mach Industries, we are pioneering the future of defense through scalable, decentralized technologies. You’ll be part of a small, dynamic team tackling some of the hardest engineering problems in modern warfare. Your work will directly contribute to building systems that ensure global stability and preparedness through innovative, manufacturable designs.

Join us in shaping the future of warfare and securing the American way of life.