Conceptual Design Engineer

Job description

About Mach Industries Founded in 2023, 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 Conceptual Design Engineer to develop and mature next-generation unmanned aircraft and missile concepts from mission requirements through preliminary design. You will define vehicle configurations, perform first-order sizing, conduct multidisciplinary trade studies, and own the architecture recommendations that decide what Mach builds next. Scope and autonomy in this role scale with experience; you will begin by driving conceptual design on a single vehicle program and grow into leading architecture decisions across multiple programs. You will work closely with Air Vehicle Design Engineers and subject matter experts across the organization to establish baseline vehicle configurations and make engineering decisions that balance performance, manufacturability, cost, technical risk, and mission effectiveness. The concepts you develop move directly into prototype integration and flight test—you will see architecture decisions validated in hardware. This role is part of Conceptual Design within Mach's Vehicle Design and Performance organization, alongside MDAO and Operational Performance. Conceptual Design creates, MDAO enables, and Operational Performance assesses. You will collaborate across Aerodynamics, Structures, Propulsion, and other engineering departments, and you will stay with your concepts rather than handing geometry over a wall: what comes back from preliminary design and flight test feeds the next one. The ideal candidate thrives on open-ended design problems, evaluates competing concepts with strong engineering judgment, and is motivated by shaping the overall direction of advanced aerospace vehicles from first principles. More experienced candidates will lead architecture decisions across multiple programs immediately; earlier-career candidates will build toward that scope through hands-on conceptual design work on a single vehicle program. Key Responsibilities This is a hands-on technical design role, not a proposal-writing or program-management position. You will drive vehicle-level architecture recommendations across UAS and missile conceptual design, working closely with discipline engineers and vehicle design engineers to mature concepts into hardware. • Drive conceptual design efforts by translating mission requirements into viable aircraft and missile concepts. • Develop baseline vehicle architectures through first-order sizing, configuration development, and multidisciplinary trade studies. • Evaluate competing design concepts by balancing aerodynamic performance, propulsion integration, structural efficiency, manufacturability, cost, and mission effectiveness, with awareness of survivability considerations where applicable. • Drive system-level integration across aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, payloads, guidance, manufacturing, and other engineering disciplines throughout early vehicle development. • Partner with Air Vehicle Design Engineers to mature conceptual designs into integrated vehicle layouts and preliminary CAD models. • Identify technical risks, evaluate design alternatives, and provide data-driven recommendations throughout the design process. • Present vehicle concepts, engineering trade studies, and technical recommendations to engineering leadership and program stakeholders. • Support vehicle development from conceptual design through preliminary design, prototype integration, and flight testing. Required Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline. • 2+ years of experience developing aircraft, missile, or unmanned vehicle concepts through conceptual design, vehicle sizing, configuration development, and multidisciplinary trade studies. • Strong understanding of aircraft or missile performance, aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, and systems integration. • Demonstrated ability to make system-level design decisions while balancing competing technical requirements and program constraints. • Experience communicating technical analyses and design recommendations to multidisciplinary engineering teams and technical leadership. Preferred Qualifications • Master's or Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline. • Experience with multidisciplinary design analysis and optimization (MDAO) methodologies and design optimization techniques. • Experience developing UAS, missile, or other advanced aerospace vehicles from concept through prototype development or flight test. • Familiarity with high-speed, high-altitude, or low-observable vehicle design. • Working knowledge of CAD tools such as NX, CATIA, or Creo to support conceptual layouts and vehicle integration. Additional Requirements • Available to work extended hours and weekends as needed ITAR Requirements To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here. Engineer $115,000—$150,000 USD Senior Engineer $155,000&mdash