Reliability Engineer - Performance & Life-Cycle Assurance

About the role

Mach is seeking a senior engineer to establish and lead the reliability program for our autonomous UAS platforms. You will work directly with hardware and test teams to identify risks, perform failure analysis, and guide design decisions in a fast-paced environment. The role requires ownership of the end-to-end reliability lifecycle for complex defense systems, from initial design validation through production and field deployment. You will define the reliability strategy and ensure that data-driven decisions are used to eliminate risks before they reach critical operations. This position is responsible for translating high-level mission requirements into rigorous test plans and failure mitigation strategies. You will act as the primary reliability authority, influencing cross-functional teams to enforce robust design practices. The position demands strong analytical judgment to make engineering decisions when information is incomplete or time-constrained. You will own the processes that ensure our platforms meet demanding operational life-cycle expectations in demanding environments.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop a reliability program covering hardware, electrical, firmware, and production systems.
• Identify single-point failures and system dependencies using reliability block diagrams and FMECA.
• Define and recommend specific environmental, component, and subsystem tests based on mission risk.
• Conduct root cause investigations using teardowns, manufacturing records, and field data.
• Create and manage failure-reporting and corrective-action workflows.
• Communicate reliability risks and mitigation strategies to cross-functional teams.
• Establish procedures for life-cycle assessment of critical components and structural elements.
• Partner with manufacturing to implement reliability controls throughout the production workflow.
• Analyze field performance data to predict wear-out mechanisms and schedule maintenance interventions.
• Define reliability metrics and dashboards to track program health and mission readiness.
• Evaluate vendor parts and recommend design changes to improve system robustness.
• Support qualification and acceptance testing to verify compliance with reliability targets.
• Document failure modes, effects, and criticality to guide design trade studies.
• Maintain traceability from requirements through verification to ensure reliability goals are met.

Requirements

• Bachelor or Master degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or Systems Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in reliability, test, or failure analysis for complex electromechanical systems.
• Proven ability to apply FMEA/FMECA and root cause analysis to drive engineering changes.
• Experience recommending test mitigations based on reliability findings.
• Ability to make engineering decisions using limited or incomplete data.
• Experience collaborating with manufacturing, quality, and design departments.
• Must be eligible for U.S. security clearance due to ITAR and EAR controlled technology.
• Must pass E-Verify confirmation of work authorization as required by U.S. law.
• Must comply with U.S. export control laws when accessing controlled technology or data.
• Total compensation includes base salary and equity, with benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

Nice to have

• Background in aerospace, defense, robotics, or automotive hardware.
• Experience with accelerated life testing or qualification testing.
• Familiarity with standards such as MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-1629, MIL-HDBK-217, or ARP4761.
• Experience with FRACAS or closed-loop corrective action systems.
• Previous work in a startup or rapid-growth environment.

Practical notes

• This role requires compliance with U.S. export control laws, including ITAR and EAR. Offers are contingent on the ability to access controlled technology without sponsorship for an export license.
• Mach uses E-Verify to confirm work authorization.
• Total compensation includes base salary and equity grants. Benefits include health insurance and retirement plans.
• The position is full-time and requires on-site presence at the Huntington Beach, California location.
• Candidates must be able to start within a reasonable timeframe as dictated by project timelines.
• All employment is contingent on successful completion of background checks and authorization requirements.
• The reliability engineer will be expected to maintain continuous availability for critical issue response during development and test phases.
• Travel may be required to support test campaigns, vendor visits, or customer demonstrations as defined by business needs.
• This role is integral to the Mach Vehicles team and supports the rapid growth and deployment of next-generation autonomous defense platforms.
• The successful candidate will contribute to establishing the reliability culture and processes that define Mach Industries' operations.
• The position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of hardware resilience, data analysis, and mission-critical systems engineering.
• Decision-making in this role will directly impact the safety, performance, and field success of autonomous defense systems.
• You will be expected to mentor junior engineers and elevate the team's capability through clear documentation and knowledge transfer.
• This role operates within a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment where adaptability and technical depth are essential.
• The reliability engineer will interface with program management, systems engineering, and operations to align testing with mission objectives.
• You will be responsible for ensuring that reliability data is used to inform procurement, manufacturing, and field maintenance strategies.
• The position requires strong written and verbal communication to convey complex failure modes to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• You will contribute to the development of reliability-centered maintenance strategies that extend system life and reduce downtime.
• The role supports the company mission of delivering scalable, decentralized defense systems that enhance the strategic capabilities of the United States and its allies.