Air Vehicle Design Engineer

What the role needs

• Translate mission and system requirements into feasible aircraft and missile configurations through first-order sizing, layout development, and architecture studies.
• Define, loft, and maintain vehicle OML geometry, including planforms, bodies, noses, control surfaces, inlets, aerodynamic fairings, and propulsion and payload integration.
• Build robust parametric CAD models for OML, internal packaging, subsystem interfaces, and major assemblies that can accommodate changing requirements and configuration trades.
• Develop integrated vehicle layouts that balance aerodynamic performance, weight, packaging, manufacturability, modularity, and subsystem needs.
• Provide configuration geometry and interface definitions to discipline teams, then incorporate analysis results, packaging constraints, and manufacturing feedback into the evolving design.
• Partner with Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Structures, GNC, Manufacturing, and Flight Test to resolve cross-disciplinary issues and keep configurations viable.
• Support prototype fabrication, vehicle integration, and design changes as configurations move into hardware.
• Present configuration alternatives, trade studies, and technical recommendations to engineering leadership and program stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of professional experience in aircraft, missile, or unmanned vehicle design.
• Experience with conceptual or preliminary vehicle design, including first-order sizing, configuration development, layout, or multidisciplinary trade studies.
• Hands-on experience defining and maintaining vehicle OML geometry, including lofting and surfacing aerodynamic shapes.

From the employer

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 an Air Vehicle Design Engineer to shape and integrate next-generation unmanned aircraft and missile systems. You will turn mission requirements into viable vehicle configurations, own the outer mold line (OML), and create the parametric geometry that carries each concept from an initial layout toward manufacturable hardware and flight test. This role sits at the intersection of conceptual aircraft design and advanced CAD. You will perform first-order sizing, develop and compare configuration concepts, define vehicle shape and internal arrangement, and build robust CAD models that evolve as requirements and discipline inputs change. The geometry you create will be used by Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Structures, GNC, Manufacturing, and Flight Test, and you will work directly with those teams to mature it. 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 remain involved as your configurations move through preliminary design, fabrication, and test, using what the team learns to improve both the current vehicle and the next one. The ideal candidate combines strong geometric intuition, fluency in parametric CAD, and broad aerospace fundamentals. You can reason from an incomplete set of requirements, make practical configuration decisions across disciplines, and structure geometry so it can change without starting over. You care not only about whether a concept can fly, but also whether it can be integrated, built, and ultimately produced at rate. Key Responsibilities This is a conceptual design and vehicle configuration role with a strong CAD emphasis. CAD is the primary engineering medium, but the work begins before the geometry is defined: you will use mission requirements, first-order sizing, and multidisciplinary trades to determine what to model. This is not a mechanical design role centered on detailed parts, mechanisms, structural analysis, or production drawings. Your focus is the integrated vehicle configuration, its OML, and the parametric geometry that connects concept development to downstream engineering. Translate mission and system requirements into feasible aircraft and missile configurations through first-order sizing, layout development, and architecture studies. Define, loft, and maintain vehicle OML geometry, including planforms, bodies, noses, control surfaces, inlets, aerodynamic fairings, and propulsion and payload integration. Build robust parametric CAD models for OML, internal packaging, subsystem interfaces, and major assemblies that can accommodate changing requirements and configuration trades. Develop integrated vehicle layouts that balance aerodynamic performance, weight, packaging, manufacturability, modularity, and subsystem needs. Provide configuration geometry and interface definitions to discipline teams, then incorporate analysis results, packaging constraints, and manufacturing feedback into the evolving design. Partner with Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Structures, GNC, Manufacturing, and Flight Test to resolve cross-disciplinary issues and keep configurations viable. Support prototype fabrication, vehicle integration, and design changes as configurations move into hardware. Present configuration alternatives, trade studies, and technical recommendations to engineering leadership and program stakeholders. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline. 2+ years of professional experience in aircraft, missile, or unmanned vehicle design. Experience with conceptual or preliminary vehicle design, including first-order sizing, configuration development, layout, or multidisciplinary trade studies. Hands-on experience defining and maintaining vehicle OML geometry, including lofting and surfacing aerodynamic shapes. Proficiency in NX, CATIA, Creo, or equivalent CAD software, including parametric modeling and model architectures that support rapid configuration changes. Demonstrated ability to translate requirements and engineering constraints into vehicle geometry. Working knowledge of aerospace vehicle packaging and the interactions among aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, controls, manufacturing, and mission performance. Ability to communicate design rationale, assumptions, and tradeoffs clearly across multidisciplinary teams. Preferred Qualifications Experience using parametric or computational geometry in MDAO, vehicle sizing, optimization, or design-space exploration. Experience using scripts, APIs, or computational design platforms such as nTop to generate, modify, or exchange geometry. Experience with Class A surfacing or advanced CAD surfacing techniques. Experience developing advanced vehicle concepts for high-altitude, high-speed, low-observable, or similarly demanding applications. Experience managing large CAD assemblies and configuration control in a multi-engineer environment. Experience carrying vehicle geometry into downstream engineering analysis, prototyping, manufacturing, vehicle integration, or flight-test workflows. The person in this role helps determine what Mach's vehicles become. You will own geometry that begins with a mission need, changes as engineering teams close the design, and ultimately becomes hardware you can see built and flown. 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 — $195,000 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!