Field-Ready Autonomous Systems Engineer

Mach Industries; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Mach Industries, a defense technology company, seeks a Forward Deployed Autonomous Systems Engineer to support integration, testing, deployment, and operation of autonomous aircraft and related systems. This hands-on role involves hardware work, field troubleshooting, and collaboration with avionics, sensors, and control systems.

The role requires technical ownership, disciplined execution, and the ability to translate operational experience into better products and procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or equivalent hands-on technical experience in STEM.
• Fundamental understanding of UAS, robotics, or electromechanical systems.
• Familiarity with flight-control concepts and autopilot ecosystems.
• Experience with ground-control apps like QGroundControl or Mission Planner.
• Basic Linux, networking, and soldering skills.
• Ability to read and improve technical checklists and procedures.
• U.S. export-control/ITAR awareness and travel readiness.

Responsibilities

• Configure, inspect, test, and operate autonomous vehicles and equipment.
• Conduct checkouts and preflight activities for aircraft and ground systems.
• Verify mission packouts and maintain tools and spares.
• Perform routine field maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Escalate technical issues to engineering teams with clear feedback.
• Support mission planning, test prep, and customer demonstrations.
• Develop or improve vehicle checklists and procedures.
• Provide feedback to engineering from field experience.
• Participate in multi-day field deployments and flight tests.
• Assist integration of avionics, radios, sensors, and control systems.

Skills

Unmanned aircraft systems

Flight-control concepts

PX4 ArduPilot familiarity

QGroundControl Mission Planner

Linux command-line

Networking fundamentals

Git/version-control

Soldering basic electronics

Problem-solving in field environments

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in robotics, aerospace, electrical, mechanical, CS or related STEM

Tools

QGroundControl

Mission Planner

PX4/ArduPilot ecosystems

Job description

Mach Industries, a defense technology company, seeks a Forward Deployed Autonomous Systems Engineer to support integration, testing, deployment, and operation of autonomous aircraft and related systems. This hands-on role involves hardware work, field troubleshooting, and collaboration with avionics, sensors, and control systems.

The role requires technical ownership, disciplined execution, and the ability to translate operational experience into better products and procedures.