About the job
About Mach Industries
Established in 2022, Mach Industries is an innovative and rapidly expanding defense technology firm committed to creating next-generation autonomous defense solutions. Our mission centers on delivering scalable and decentralized defense systems that bolster the strategic capabilities of the United States and its allies. With a dynamic workforce of roughly 220 talented professionals, we embody the agility and ambition of a startup.
Our vision is to transform the future of warfare through pioneering manufacturing techniques, rapid innovation, and a steadfast focus on national security. We are dedicated to addressing the evolving challenges of warfare with advanced systems designed to deter kinetic conflict and safeguard global security.
The Role
Mach Industries is in search of a Forward Deployed Autonomous Systems Engineer who will operate, test, and refine autonomous aerial platforms in real-world scenarios. This role is distinct from traditional aviation or piloting positions; success is measured by technical ownership, systematic learning, and swift iterations—rather than flight hours or formal aviation credentials.
You will directly engage with developing prototype systems, frequently working in the field alongside engineering teams to identify failures, validate solutions, and advance systems toward operational readiness. This position straddles the domains of engineering and operations, necessitating comfort with ambiguity, incomplete systems, and rapid feedback cycles. You will collaborate with Flight Test Engineers to translate test objectives and performance metrics into actionable system behaviors.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct flight and ground testing of both developmental and production autonomous aerial systems in controlled and field environments.
Work closely with engineering teams to plan and execute test activities, identify failures, and drive system enhancements.
Diagnose and address system-level issues across hardware, software, communications, and autonomy during testing phases.
Configure, modify, and validate flight control software, autonomy behaviors, and system parameters to support test objectives.
Evaluate system readiness through pre-flight, post-flight, and health checks, establishing go/no-go conditions for testing.
Gather, analyze, and communicate telemetry, logs, and performance data to facilitate rapid design iterations.

