Head of Propulsion

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 Propulsion to lead the development of cutting-edge propulsion systems for our next-generation autonomous vehicles. As the Head of Propulsion, you will be responsible for overseeing the entire propulsion engineering function, driving the design, development, and integration of air-breathing engines for unmanned platforms. Your expertise will guide the team from concept through to prototype testing, ensuring that our propulsion systems provide a strategic edge in the evolving landscape of modern warfare.

At Mach Industries, we exist to build the next-generation platforms that maintain an allied American edge. The future of warfare is in decentralized unmanned systems, and we are committed to producing these platforms by the millions to deter kinetic conflict. As the Head of Propulsion, you will play a central role in ensuring that the propulsion systems we develop are not only technically superior but also manufacturable at scale in decentralized, flexible factories, enabling supply chain defensibility and adaptability. You will lead a dynamic team, collaborating across engineering disciplines to deliver propulsion systems that give us a strategic dollar-to-dollar edge over our adversaries.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the propulsion engineering function, overseeing the design, development, and integration of air-breathing engines for unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) and next-generation defense platforms.

• Manage the end-to-end propulsion development process, from concept through to prototype testing, including system design, analysis, and optimization.

• Lead the propulsion team, mentoring and guiding engineers in both the technical and strategic aspects of propulsion systems development.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (aerodynamics, avionics, systems integration) to ensure that propulsion systems meet mission-critical performance, reliability, and safety requirements.

• Ensure that propulsion systems are designed with scalability in mind, enabling high-volume manufacturing at decentralized factories while maintaining high performance, cost efficiency, and adaptability.

• Contribute to the development of innovative manufacturing processes and test systems that support high-throughput production of propulsion systems.

Basic Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in propulsion engineering, specifically in the development of air-breathing or liquid-fueled engines for military or aerospace applications.

• Proven ability to take propulsion systems from concept to prototype, with hands-on experience in all phases of design, testing, and integration.

• Deep expertise in engine thermodynamics, combustion, and fluid dynamics, with a strong understanding of propulsion systems engineering, including thrust, fuel systems, and engine control.

• Extensive experience with engine performance testing, including development of test plans, data analysis, and validation against operational requirements.

• Strong background in CAD design and simulation tools (e.g., NX, Teamcenter) to guide design and ensure manufacturability.

• 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 lead and mentor a high-performing team in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience in developing or testing liquid-fueled or air-breathing engines, with a strong track record of successful propulsion system designs and prototypes.

• Experience in unmanned systems or autonomous vehicles, with an understanding of their specific propulsion needs and challenges.

• Expertise in fuel management systems and engine control systems, with experience integrating these technologies into complex systems.

Why Mach Industries? At Mach Industries, we are building the next-generation platforms that will help the U.S. and its allies maintain a strategic edge in future warfare. Our mission is clear: we will produce these platforms by the millions to deter kinetic conflict and ensure that the U.S. military remains prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.

We are pioneering a new class of decentralized unmanned systems that will redefine how we approach defense technology. We don’t just design systems—we ensure they can be produced at scale, using flexible, adaptable factories to guarantee supply chain defensibility and meet the urgent needs of modern warfare.

As the Head of Propulsion, you will have the opportunity to lead the development of propulsion systems that push the boundaries of what’s possible. You will work in an environment that values innovation, agility, and the ability to execute on complex, high-stakes projects. If you are driven by a sense of purpose and the desire to contribute to the future of defense, we want to hear from you.

Join us at Mach Industries, where your work will shape the future of warfare and secure the American way of life.