Operations Engineer

Mach Industries; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Opportunities for professional development

Job summary

A growing defense technology company in Huntington Beach seeks an Operations Engineer to enhance processes across engineering, manufacturing, and program management teams. The ideal candidate will develop internal automation systems, streamline workflows, and utilize strong communication abilities to integrate across departments. This role requires a Bachelor's in a relevant field and 1-3+ years of experience. Competitive salary and benefits are offered, along with a commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• 1-3+ years in a fast paced collaborative work environment within an engineering or consulting field.
• Experience building, deploying and maintaining automation using Python, SQL, APIs, or similar platforms/tooling.
• Demonstrated ability to build credibility quickly across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and deployment of internal automation systems to streamline workflows.
• Architect and maintain operational data pipelines and dashboards.
• Diagnose systemic inefficiencies using data-driven analysis.

Skills

Systems-level intuition

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Experience with automation using Python, SQL

Ability to influence outcomes without formal authority

Capacity to understand engineering data structures

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

JIRA

ERP systems

MES systems

PLM systems

Job description

About Mach Industries

Founded in 2022, Mach Industries is a rapidly growing defense technology company focused on developing next-generation autonomous defense platforms. At the core of our mission is the commitment to delivering scalable, decentralized defense systems that enhance the strategic capabilities of the United States and its allies. With a workforce of approximately 220 employees, we operate with startup agility and ambition.

Our vision is to redefine the future of warfare through cutting-edge manufacturing, innovation at speed, and unwavering focus on national security. We are dedicated to solving the next generation of warfare with lethal systems that deter kinetic conflict and protect global security.

The Role

Mach is seeking an Operations Engineer to serve as a deployable technical operator embedded within our engineering, manufacturing, and program management teams.

Mach’s advantage has been speed, ownership, and an unwillingness to let hard problems sit unresolved. As we scale our product portfolio, program complexity, headcount, and facilities, we will need automated systems and efficient processes across our company.

As an Operations Engineer, you will act as a “Swiss Army Knife” who must be able to rapidly context‑switch, autonomously develop skillsets and expertise overnight, communicate effectively across teams, and execute with minimal oversight at an extremely high level. The role will focus on high‑impact work that departments or teams do not have the time to absorb or that fall outside traditional scopes. You will be integrated across the company to scale critical processes, protect product velocity, and sustain momentum through change. This role will heavily emphasize the development and integration of enterprise grade automation and software to help tie cross‑functional teams together.

You will report into execution leadership, ensuring that as Mach grows in scale and external accountability so that we do not lose the intensity and speed that defines us. This role is designed for technically strong individuals who take pride in closing loops, raising standards, and maintaining momentum.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development and deployment of internal automation systems to streamline engineering, manufacturing, and operations workflows, eliminating manual touch points.
• Architect and maintain operational data pipelines and dashboards to enable real‑time, decision‑grade visibility across programs.
• Design scalable process and systems architectures to support new product lines, facilities, and organizational expansion.
• Formalize and instrument critical workflows with clear inputs/outputs, controls, and measurable performance metrics.
• Diagnose systemic inefficiencies using data‑driven analysis and implement durable technical and process‑level solutions.
• Build and refine program execution tooling, including tracking systems, dependency mapping, and risk monitoring frameworks.
• Integrate software systems and cross‑functional data sources (PLM, ERP, MES, etc.) to create a unified operational backbone.
• Develop lightweight internal applications, scripts, and APIs to automate coordination, reporting, and cross‑team handoffs.
• Partner with department leaders to translate strategic initiatives into implemented systems, infrastructure, and execution processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 1‑3+ years in a fast paced collaborative work environment within an engineering or consulting field.
• Strong systems‑level intuition with demonstrated ability to reason across electrical, mechanical, and software boundaries.
• Demonstrated ability to build credibility quickly across teams and influence outcomes without formal authority.
• Refined communication ability, with experience distilling complex technical and organizational issues into clear, decision‑oriented narratives for diverse stakeholders.
• Capacity to understand engineering and manufacturing data structures (e.g., BOM hierarchies, part revisions, work orders) without owning product design.
• Experience building, deploying and maintaining automation using python, SQL, APIs, or similar platforms/tooling.
• Background in developing automation or tooling (e.g., scripting, workflow tools, Jira, internal systems).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with aerospace, UAS, robotics, automotive, or other complex hardware manufacturing.
• Working familiarity with regulated environments (ITAR/EAR), aerospace quality standards (AS9100, ISO9001), and government program requirements.
• Understanding of product lifecycle states (R&D → EVT/DVT/PVT → Production).
• Hands‑on experience with enterprise systems (ERP, MES, PLM).
• Exposure to manufacturing scale‑up or production environments.
• Experience in a startup or high‑growth technical organization.

Disclosures

This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license.

Mach participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offers may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and training, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in most offers and are considered part of Mach’s total compensation package. Mach offers benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development.

Mach is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. If you’d like to defend the American way of life, please reach out!