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 Crew Chief to serve as the primary operational owner and technical authority for an assigned autonomous aircraft or vehicle family. The Crew Chief is responsible for the condition, configuration, maintainability, and deployment readiness of the asset.

The Crew Chief answers the fundamental questions surrounding vehicle readiness: Is the vehicle healthy? Is it configured correctly? Is it maintainable? Can it survive another deployment? Should this aircraft fly?

You will work directly with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Flight Test, Flight Operations, and Logistics to prepare vehicles for testing and deployment, resolve technical issues, coordinate repairs, and improve vehicle reliability. This is a hands-on role requiring both deep familiarity with the assigned vehicle and the judgment to make clear, risk-informed readiness recommendations.

Candidates who demonstrate the broader organizational leadership capabilities described in the Preferred Qualifications may be considered at the Principal level.

Key Responsibilities

Vehicle Ownership and Readiness

Own the condition, configuration, maintenance, and operational readiness of assigned vehicles
Determine whether an aircraft is properly configured, maintainable, and ready for continued test or deployment
Conduct or oversee vehicle checkout, systems testing, inspection, preflight, and post-flight activities
Maintain awareness of open discrepancies, maintenance actions, configuration changes, limitations, and readiness risks
Make clear recommendations regarding whether an aircraft should fly
Escalate risks that cannot be resolved within established procedures or available authority
Maintain assigned vehicles in a condition that supports rapid testing and deployments

Configuration and Documentation

Maintain configuration control for assigned vehicles and supporting equipment
Verify that installed hardware and software match the approved vehicle configuration
Ensure maintenance, inspection, repair, and configuration records are accurate and current
Develop and improve vehicle checkout processes, checklists, and work instructions
Ensure configuration changes and maintenance actions are properly communicated across the team
Support technical documentation and configuration reviews

Troubleshooting and Repair

Isolate faults and lead structured troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, avionics, propulsion, and integrated vehicle systems
Perform or coordinate field repairs and return-to-service activities
Conduct root-cause analysis and ensure recurring problems are elevated to the appropriate engineering or quality teams
Coordinate with Manufacturing and Engineering on repairs, rework, non-conformances, and process improvements
Identify whether issues are isolated hardware failures, configuration problems, process deficiencies, or broader design concerns

Quality and Process Improvement

Initiate, track, and support the resolution of non-conformances affecting assigned vehicles
Coordinate regularly with Quality regarding vehicle condition, recurring defects, open actions, and corrective measures
Identify improvements to vehicle design, maintainability, inspection, checkout, and repair processes
Support first-article builds and the transition of prototype hardware into repeatable operational products