Mach Industries

Develops unmanned military systems and propulsion

Field Drone Technician

Aviation Operations & Aircraft MaintenanceConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeHuntington Beach, CA, USA

About the Job

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
Demonstrated mechanical aptitude through professional, military, trade-school, academic, or personal project experience is required.
Basic understanding of mechanical systems and common hand tools is required.
Basic electrical knowledge, including the ability to recognize common connectors, wiring, and electrical components, is required.
Basic familiarity with avionics, aviation, robotics, unmanned aircraft, or comparable electromechanical systems is required.
Basic understanding of aerodynamic and flight principles is required.
Ability to conduct visual structural and hardware inspections is required.
Familiarity with proper torque practices and hardware installation is required.
Ability to inspect wire harnesses, connectors, and hardware installations is required.
Ability to follow drawings, work instructions, checklists, and verbal technical direction is required.
Strong attention to detail and personal accountability are required.
Ability to document discrepancies and communicate technical problems clearly is required.
Ability to lift and move equipment and work in shop, range, and outdoor field environments is required.
Ability to travel and support multi-day deployments is required.
Ability to meet applicable security, export-control, and customer-access requirements is required.
Availability to work extended hours and weekends as needed is required.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Ability to receive controlled software or technology without sponsorship for an export license may be a condition of employment.
The employer participates in E-Verify and will use Form I-9 information to confirm U.S. work authorization.

Responsibilities

Perform vehicle checkout, systems testing, and preflight activities using approved procedures and checklists.
Conduct basic mechanical, electrical, avionics, structural, and wire-harness inspections.
Support the assembly, integration, maintenance, repair, and configuration of autonomous aircraft.
Use approved torque practices, tooling, and work instructions.
Assist with hardware integration and vehicle configuration changes.
Maintain accurate records of completed work and vehicle condition.
Escalate technical issues, damage, or conditions outside approved procedures.
Track vehicle hardware, components, spares, and assigned inventory.
Maintain accountability for tools, test equipment, and support equipment.
Inspect and maintain fueling equipment, launchers, and other ground-support systems.
Verify that required tools, spares, consumables, and support equipment are available for tests and deployments.
Help maintain clean, organized, and flight-ready work areas.
Execute work in accordance with drawings, work instructions, checklists, and configuration requirements.
Identify and document defects, discrepancies, and nonconforming hardware.
Initiate or support nonconformance reports under the direction of Crew Chiefs, Quality, or Engineering.
Maintain accurate maintenance, inspection, inventory, and operational records.
Support configuration control by ensuring installed hardware matches approved documentation.
Support flight tests, customer demonstrations, and multi-day field deployments.
Assist with vehicle setup, preflight, launch preparation, recovery, and post-flight inspection.
Perform field-level troubleshooting under the direction of a Crew Chief or engineer.
Support vehicle and equipment packout, transport, setup, and teardown.
Provide clear feedback regarding vehicle condition, equipment issues, and procedural gaps.
Follow applicable safety, range, and operational requirements.

Desired Qualifications

A technical certificate, associate degree, military technical training, or equivalent practical experience in aviation, maintenance, manufacturing, electronics, robotics, or a related field is preferred.
Experience maintaining aircraft, unmanned aircraft, vehicles, robotics, or other electromechanical systems is preferred.
Experience in aviation maintenance or flight-line operations is preferred.
Experience in a manufacturing, integration, or prototype-development environment is preferred.
Experience reading engineering drawings and executing controlled work instructions is preferred.
Experience conducting vehicle checkout or preflight inspections is preferred.
Experience supporting flight operations, testing, or field deployments is preferred.
Experience with unmanned aircraft systems or robotics is preferred.
Experience maintaining fueling, launching, or other ground-support equipment is preferred.
Experience using maintenance, inventory, quality, or manufacturing-management systems is preferred.
An FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is preferred.

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 Field Drone Technician to support the assembly, maintenance, checkout, and field operation of autonomous aircraft and their supporting equipment. This is an entry-level, hands-on technical role for someone who enjoys working on mechanical, electrical, and aviation systems.

You will work alongside Crew Chiefs, Forward Deployed Autonomous Systems Engineers, Flight Test Engineers, the Manufacturing team, and other technical teams to prepare aircraft for testing and deployment. You will execute approved work instructions and checklists, maintain tools and support equipment, track vehicle hardware, and assist with troubleshooting in the field.

This role provides the opportunity to develop broad experience across autonomous aircraft, launch systems, ground equipment, manufacturing, maintenance, and flight operations. Success requires attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, disciplined execution, and a willingness to learn in both shop and field environments.

Key Responsibilities

Vehicle Preparation and Maintenance

Perform vehicle checkout, systems testing, and preflight activities using approved procedures and checklists
Conduct basic mechanical, electrical, avionics, structural, and wire-harness inspections
Support the assembly, integration, maintenance, repair, and configuration of autonomous aircraft
Use approved torque practices, tooling, and work instructions
Assist with hardware integration and vehicle configuration changes
Maintain accurate records of completed work and vehicle condition
Escalate technical issues, damage, or conditions outside approved procedures

Inventory, Tools, and Support Equipment

Track vehicle hardware, components, spares, and assigned inventory
Maintain accountability for tools, test equipment, and support equipment
Inspect and maintain fueling equipment, launchers, and other ground-support systems
Verify that required tools, spares, consumables, and support equipment are available for tests and deployments
Help maintain clean, organized, and flight-ready work areas

Quality and Documentation

Execute work in accordance with drawings, work instructions, checklists, and configuration requirements
Identify and document defects, discrepancies, and nonconforming hardware
Initiate or support nonconformance reports under the direction of Crew Chiefs, Quality, or Engineering
Maintain accurate maintenance, inspection, inventory, and operational records
Support configuration control by ensuring the installed hardware matches approved documentation

Test and Field Operations

Support flight tests, customer demonstrations, and multi-day field deployments
Assist with vehicle setup, preflight, launch preparation, recovery, and post-flight inspection
Perform field-level troubleshooting under the direction of a Crew Chief or engineer
Support vehicle and equipment packout, transport, setup, and teardown
Provide clear feedback regarding vehicle condition, equipment issues, and procedural gaps
Follow all applicable safety, range, and operational requirements

Required Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent
Demonstrated mechanical aptitude through professional, military, trade-school, academic, or personal project experience
Basic understanding of mechanical systems and common hand tools
Basic electrical knowledge, including the ability to recognize common connectors, wiring, and electrical components
Basic familiarity with avionics, aviation, robotics, unmanned aircraft, or comparable electromechanical systems
Basic understanding of aerodynamic and flight principles
Ability to conduct visual structural and hardware inspections
Familiarity with proper torque practices and hardware installation
Ability to inspect wire harnesses, connectors, and hardware installations
Ability to follow drawings, work instructions, checklists, and verbal technical direction
Strong attention to detail and personal accountability
Ability to document discrepancies and communicate technical problems clearly
Ability to lift and move equipment and work in shop, range, and outdoor field environments
Ability to travel and support multi-day deployments
Ability to meet applicable security, export-control, and customer-access requirements

Preferred Qualifications

Technical certificate, associate degree, military technical training, or equivalent practical experience in aviation, maintenance, manufacturing, electronics, robotics, or a related field
Experience maintaining aircraft, unmanned aircraft, vehicles, robotics, or other electromechanical systems
Experience in aviation maintenance or flight-line operations
Experience in a manufacturing, integration, or prototype-development environment
Experience reading engineering drawings and executing controlled work instructions
Experience conducting vehicle checkout or preflight inspections
Experience supporting flight operations, testing, or field deployments
Experience with unmanned aircraft systems or robotics
Experience maintaining fueling, launching, or other ground-support equipment
Experience using maintenance, inventory, quality, or manufacturing-management systems
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

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.

Pay Range

$30—$40 USD

At Mach, we believe that compensation is more than just a paycheck. It's a comprehensive package designed to reward the time, skills, and expertise you bring to our team. We are committed to offering competitive compensation that is equitable, transparent, and aligned with market trends.

Key Elements of Our Compensation Philosophy:

Competitive Salaries: We continuously research market rates to ensure our salaries are competitive with those in our industry and geographic location.
Performance-Based Incentives: Our bonus structure is tied to both individual and company performance, creating a win-win scenario that motivates our team members to excel.
Equity Participation: We offer stock options or equity to employees, ensuring that you share in the success and growth of the company.
Benefit Packages: Our benefits include healthcare, dental and vision plans, retirement savings, and paid time off, because we understand that your well-being extends beyond the office.
Professional Development: We allocate funds for continuing education, training, and career growth.
Transparency: We are committed to openness about our compensation tiers and how decisions are made, ensuring trust and mutual respect.

By joining Mach, you’re not just accepting a job—you’re becoming a key part of a team that values your contributions and invests in your growth. Together, we aim to create a rewarding environment that sets the stage for long-term success.

Data Privacy
To view Mach Industries candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://machindustries.com/privacy-policy.

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!

Pay Range 30 - 40 USD

About the Company

Mach Industries

Develops unmanned military systems and propulsion

Mach Industries designs and builds unmanned military systems, including VTOL drones, long-range strike weapons, and counter-UAS, along with propulsion and energetics. Its products combine flight hardware, power plants, and munitions into compact, military-ready systems, with most components produced in-house to lower costs. The company differentiates itself through vertical integration, a large California manufacturing footprint, and acquisitions (like Exquadrum) to expand solid-rocket-motor capability and reduce bottlenecks. Its goal is to scale manufacturing and accelerate programs to meet defense contracts and national security needs, supported by large funding rounds to grow production and operations.

Company size: 201-500
Company stage: Series C
Total funding: $1.1B
Headquarters: Huntington Beach, CA
Founded: 2022

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