Senior Conceptual Design Engineer - Advanced Concepts

Mach Industries; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Mach Industries in Huntington Beach, CA seeks a Senior Vehicle Design Engineer — Advanced Concepts to help develop next-generation missile and low-observable aerospace systems. You will apply deep vehicle design expertise to mature concepts into viable vehicles, working across aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, and guidance.

The role emphasizes multidisciplinary trade studies, rigorous design reviews, and mentoring junior engineers.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in aerospace vehicle or missile design.
• Experience creating or evaluating complete vehicle configurations.
• Strong grasp of aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, and tradeoffs.
• Proven ability to make engineering recommendations amid conflicting requirements.
• Excellent cross-disciplinary communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop and evaluate advanced aircraft and missile vehicle configurations from mission requirements.
• Conduct multidisciplinary trade studies balancing aerodynamics, weight, propulsion integration, manufacturability, survivability, and mission effectiveness.
• Assess architectural decisions and guide configuration development.
• Support integration of vehicle-level requirements across aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, payloads, guidance, and manufacturing.
• Analyze design alternatives, identify risks, and provide recommendations.
• Collaborate with design engineers to mature concepts into detailed designs.
• Contribute during design reviews, prototype development, and flight-test activities.
• Mentor and support junior engineers through technical guidance and reviews.

Skills

Aerospace vehicle design

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Engineering recommendations

Strong communication

Mentoring

Tools

NX

CATIA

Creo

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 350 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 Industries is seeking a Senior Vehicle Design Engineer — Advanced Concepts to support the development of next-generation missile and low-observable aerospace systems.

In this role, you will apply deep vehicle design expertise to develop advanced configurations, evaluate complex design tradeoffs, and support multidisciplinary engineering decisions from early concept development through preliminary design. You will work closely with engineers across aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, guidance, manufacturing, and test to mature innovative aerospace concepts into viable vehicles.

We are particularly interested in engineers with experience in missile systems, low-observable platforms, high-speed vehicles, or other advanced aerospace applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and evaluate advanced aircraft and missile vehicle configurations from mission requirements.
• Perform multidisciplinary trade studies balancing aerodynamic performance, weight, propulsion integration, manufacturability, survivability, and mission effectiveness.
• Apply expertise in vehicle design to assess architectural decisions and guide configuration development.
• Support integration of vehicle-level requirements across aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, payloads, guidance, and manufacturing.
• Analyze design alternatives, identify technical risks, and provide recommendations to support engineering decisions.
• Collaborate with conceptual design and vehicle design engineers to mature advanced concepts into detailed vehicle designs.
• Contribute technical expertise during design reviews, prototype development, and flight-test activities.
• Mentor and support junior engineers through technical guidance and design reviews.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in aerospace vehicle design, aircraft design, missile design, or related advanced aerospace development.
• Demonstrated experience developing or evaluating complete vehicle configurations.
• Strong understanding of aerospace vehicle performance, aerodynamics, propulsion integration, structures, and multidisciplinary design tradeoffs.
• Experience making engineering recommendations involving complex and competing system requirements.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing missile systems, tactical UAS, or advanced aerospace vehicles.
• Experience with low-observable vehicle design, signature reduction, or survivability analysis.
• High-speed aerospace design experience.
• Experience supporting prototype development and flight testing.
• Experience with CAD tools such as NX, CATIA, or Creo.

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.