Test Instrumentation Engineer

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 Test Instrumentation Engineer to own the external data capture architecture for flight tests across our autonomous UAS platforms. This role is responsible for the systems around the vehicle that tell us what actually happened during a test, including high-speed video, drone footage, external sensors, range instrumentation, and precise time synchronization between those sources and vehicle telemetry.

This is a hands-on field engineering role for someone who can design, deploy, troubleshoot, and validate multi-source capture systems in dynamic range environments. You will support the full test lifecycle, including planning, readiness reviews, dry runs, day-of-test execution, and post-test data handoff.

Because Mach develops low-cost, rapidly iterated UAS platforms, external instrumentation is often critical to failure analysis and engineering decision-making. In some cases, the external dataset becomes the most important record of the event. Success in this role requires technical judgment, discipline under field conditions, and the ability to turn raw test capture into trusted engineering evidence on a fast development cadence.

Key Responsibilities

Plan and deploy external data capture systems for flight tests, including high-speed cameras, drone-based footage, and ground-based sensors.

Design and maintain time-sync architecture across external capture systems and vehicle telemetry sources.

Align video, sensor, and instrumentation outputs with ground-control and Mavlink telemetry logs.

Support the full test workflow, including readiness reviews, dry runs, test-day execution, and post-test review.

Coordinate with flight operations, manufacturing and engineering teams as well as vendors, and range personnel to ensure instrumentation supports test objectives.

Capture safety-critical and engineering-critical events such as launch behavior, separation events, anomaly behavior, flight-path deviations, and impact sequences.

Build and maintain deployment-ready field kits for external instrumentation, including cameras, mounts, sync hardware, storage media, power systems, and protective equipment.

Organize, label, and package datasets so engineering teams can quickly use them for analysis without ambiguity or rework.

Improve capture procedures, sync methods, equipment standards, and documentation based on field experience.

Support flight testing at private and DoD ranges, including multi-day deployments and occasional travel outside home base.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, systems engineering, or another relevant technical discipline, or equivalent hands-on experience.

3+ years of experience with flight test instrumentation, field data capture, camera systems, sensor integration, or similar live-test technical operations.

Experience with high-speed video systems and or drone-based capture in outdoor operational environments.

Working knowledge of time synchronization across multiple independent data sources, including timecode, GPS-based sync, hardware triggers, or related methods.

Experience correlating external capture data with telemetry or ground-control-system logs.

Ability to set up, calibrate, and troubleshoot capture equipment and sensors in the field.

Strong attention to detail and data traceability.

Ability to make sound technical decisions under time pressure.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to travel frequently and support multi-day field deployments.

Ability to meet export-control, security, and customer-access requirements associated with the role.

Preferred Qualifications

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

Experience supporting UAS, defense, or aerospace flight test programs.

Familiarity with Mission Planner, QGroundControl, or similar ground-control software.

Experience with photogrammetry, motion tracking, or post-test reconstruction workflows.

Experience scripting in Python or Bash for data handling, validation, or automation.

Familiarity with telemetry files and RF communications systems used in test environments.

Experience working on private ranges, DoD ranges, or other controlled test environments.

Experience supporting rapid hardware iteration and fast post-test turnaround cycles.

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$105,000—$140,000 USDSenior Engineer$140,000—$180,000 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 PrivacyTo 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!