Forward Deployed Autonomous Systems Engineer

About the role

Mach Industries is a defense technology company focused on developing next-generation autonomous defense platforms. The company operates with startup agility and ambition, aiming to redefine the future of warfare through cutting-edge manufacturing and innovation.

Key responsibilities

• Execute flight and ground testing of developmental and production autonomous aerial systems in controlled and field environments.
• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to plan and execute test activities, identify failures, and drive system improvements.
• Diagnose and resolve system-level issues spanning hardware, software, communications, and autonomy during testing.
• Configure, modify, and validate flight control software, autonomy behaviors, and system parameters in support of test objectives.
• Assess system readiness through pre-flight, post-flight, and health checks, and determine go/no-go conditions for testing.
• Collect, analyze, and communicate telemetry, logs, and performance data to inform rapid design iteration.
• Support frequent field testing and demonstration events, operating in austere environments with significant travel.
• Develop and refine test procedures, safety practices, and operational documentation for experimental systems.
• Close the loop between field testing and manufacturing by identifying build, assembly, and reliability issues and communicating actionable feedback to manufacturing engineers and technicians.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience working with open-source flight control systems such as PX4, Ardupilot, or similar architectures, including configuration and tuning.
• Experience operating and evaluating prototype or non-certified autonomous systems in test or field environments.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve system-level issues spanning hardware, software, networking, and autonomy.
• Familiarity with Linux-based systems, command-line tools, and log/telemetry analysis.
• Strong ability to learn unfamiliar systems quickly through documentation, experimentation, and collaboration.
• Willingness to support irregular schedules driven by test readiness, flight windows, and field constraints.
• Willingness to travel more than 50% of the time.

Preferred qualifications

• Prior experience working directly with engineers to validate fixes and implement rapid design changes in the field.
• 2+ years of experience operating or testing autonomous systems in defense, robotics, or advanced commercial environments.
• Active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Background in robotics, autonomy, aerospace systems, or related technical disciplines.
• Experience supporting field testing at ranges or remote test sites.
• Experience providing test-driven feedback to manufacturing or production teams on prototype or early-production hardware.