Vehicle Configuration Design Engineer

About the role

Mach is building autonomous defense platforms and seeks a design engineer to shape the architecture of future unmanned aircraft and missiles. You will translate mission needs into functional vehicle layouts while balancing performance, cost, and manufacturing requirements. The role requires deep analytical thinking to convert ambiguous defense needs into coherent vehicle concepts. You will act as a foundational architect in the early stages, defining the form and function of advanced systems. This position demands comfort with ambiguity and the ability to synthesize complex data into practical design decisions. You will own the critical trade space where performance, cost, and risk intersect. The successful candidate will build the bridge between high-level mission goals and tangible engineering artifacts. This is a hands-on role that directly influences the strategic direction of next-generation autonomous defense platforms.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Translate mission requirements into viable aircraft and missile concepts.
• Perform first-order sizing and multidisciplinary trade studies to define vehicle architectures.
• Balance competing design factors including aerodynamics, propulsion, structural efficiency, and mission effectiveness.
• Drive system-level integration across engineering disciplines during the early development phase.
• Collaborate with Air Vehicle Design Engineers to evolve concepts into preliminary CAD models.
• Identify technical risks and provide data-driven recommendations to leadership.
• Support the full development lifecycle from initial design through prototype integration and flight testing.
• Conduct configuration development and layout studies to optimize vehicle performance.
• Develop system requirements and ensure design solutions adhere to program constraints.
• Utilize analysis tools to validate vehicle concepts against mission profiles and performance metrics.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to align vehicle design with manufacturing and supply chain capabilities.
• Document design rationales and decisions to support future engineering reviews and audits.
• Contribute to the creation of technical deliverables for internal and external stakeholders.
• Mentor junior engineers on best practices for conceptual design and vehicle configuration.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in conceptual design, vehicle sizing, and configuration development for aircraft, missiles, or unmanned vehicles.
• Proficiency in aircraft or missile performance, aerodynamics, propulsion, and systems integration.
• Ability to make system-level decisions while managing technical constraints.
• Experience presenting technical analyses to multidisciplinary teams and leadership.
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required to access restricted data and technology.
• Eligibility to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance is mandatory for this position.
• Must be able to comply with ITAR and EAR regulations governing controlled technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven defense environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to articulate complex engineering concepts.
• Proven track record of delivering technical results in a team-based setting.
• Willingness to travel as required for project duties and stakeholder engagement.
• Must pass employment verification and background checks as part of the hiring process.

Nice to have

• Master degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with MDAO methodologies and design optimization techniques.
• Background in taking advanced aerospace vehicles from concept through flight test.
• Familiarity with high-speed, high-altitude, or low-observable design.
• Proficiency in CAD software such as NX, CATIA, or Creo.

Practical notes

This role requires access to information subject to U.S. export control laws, including EAR and ITAR. Offers may be contingent upon your ability to access such technology without an export license. Mach uses E-Verify to confirm employment authorization. The company provides health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities. This position is based in Huntington Beach, California, and requires consistent presence on-site. Travel may be required for project-specific duties, and candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship for this role. The compensation range specified reflects base salary only and does not include equity awards or variable compensation.