Senior Conceptual Design Engineer
Mach Industries
ABOUT MACH INDUSTRIES Founded in 2022, 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. In this role, you will define vehicle architectures, perform first-order sizing and multidisciplinary trade studies, and guide system-level design decisions across aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, manufacturing, and mission systems. Working closely with Air Vehicle Design Engineers and subject matter experts across the organization, you will establish baseline vehicle configurations and drive engineering decisions that balance performance, manufacturability, cost, technical risk, and mission effectiveness. This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy solving open-ended design problems, evaluating competing concepts, and shaping the overall direction of advanced aerospace vehicles. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Lead 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. - 5+ 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-obs