Chief Mechanical Engineer

Allen Control Systems; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

ACS Equity Package

Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Allen Control Systems in San Jose, California, is seeking a Chief Mechanical Engineer to serve as the highest-level technical authority on mechanical engineering. You will oversee complex electromechanical design decisions and ensure timely project delivery while maintaining engineering standards.

Applicants should have over 12 years of experience in mechanical engineering, a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and a strong track record in robotics or defense hardware. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of mechanical engineering experience developing complex electromechanical systems.
• Proven track record as a technical lead in robotics or complex defense hardware.
• Experience delivering products in demanding environmental conditions.

Responsibilities

• Provide direction and review complex electromechanical design decisions.
• Oversee mechanical testing and validation activities.
• Own engineering execution from concept through deployment.

Skills

Mechanical engineering experience

Electromechanical systems

Technical lead experience

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Company Overview

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing an autonomous gun turret using advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely detect, track, and neutralize enemy drones.

With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders’ successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real‑world impact.

About The Role

We are looking for a Chief Mechanical Engineer to serve as the highest-level technical authority on mechanical engineering and product architecture at ACS. This is a senior individual contributor role requiring deep hands‑on expertise across electromechanical systems design, testing, and validation. You will provide technical direction across structural, thermal, motion‑control, and manufacturing domains, drive architecture decisions, and ensure on‑time delivery of complex, mission‑critical defense products from concept through deployment.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the mechanical engineering team’s highest-level technical authority; provide direction and review complex electromechanical design decisions across structural, thermal, motion-control, and manufacturing domains.
• Oversee mechanical testing, validation, and qualification activities to ensure designs meet performance, reliability, environmental, and operational requirements.
• Own engineering execution from concept through deployment; partner with leadership to define priorities, timelines, and milestones, and ensure projects are delivered on schedule and within scope.
• Work closely with product, operations, and leadership to align engineering efforts with company objectives; establish and maintain engineering processes, design reviews, and documentation standards to support rapid development and long-term maintainability.

What You’ll Need

• 12+ years of mechanical engineering experience developing complex electromechanical systems; Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Proven track record as a technical lead, principal engineer, chief engineer, or equivalent senior technical authority on electromechanical systems, robotics, autonomous systems, or complex defense hardware.
• Experience delivering products that operate in demanding environmental and operational conditions; strong project management instincts with the ability to balance speed, quality, and technical risk.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

You’ll Stand Out

• Prior experience in defense systems, robotics, autonomous platforms, or safety‑critical environments.
• Deep expertise in precision mechanisms, motion systems, thermal management, ruggedized hardware, or high-performance electromechanical products.
• Experience building or scaling engineering teams in fast‑paced startup environments.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• ACS Equity Package
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.