Senior Conceptual Design Engineer, Advanced Concepts

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 Senior Conceptual Design Engineer, Advanced Concepts to lead conceptual design of hypersonic and high-speed atmospheric vehicles from mission requirements through preliminary design. You will drive vehicle architecture recommendations, develop configuration baselines, perform first-order sizing, and guide multidisciplinary trades where aerodynamic heating, thermal protection, and propulsion integration fundamentally shape the design space.

You will work closely with Aerodynamics and Aerothermal engineers, who own the detailed CFD and aerothermal analysis, and decide how their results reshape the concept. You will also define requirements and validation needs for conceptual sizing and MDAO models in partnership with the MDAO team. This is a new capability at Mach Industries; you will guide early technical direction and shape how the company approaches advanced concept development from first sketch through hardware.

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 interact with every relevant engineering department across the organization, and the work will move quickly from concept exploration and architecture trades into prototyping and vehicle development.

Key Responsibilities

This is a hands-on technical design role, not a proposal-writing or program-management position. You will drive vehicle-level architecture recommendations while going deep into specific subsystems (aerodynamics, propulsion, thermal, structures) as needed to close trades. As a small team, roles overlap and boundaries stay flexible; you should expect to work closely with MDAO engineers and Air Vehicle Design Engineers.

Translate hypersonic vehicle mission requirements into configuration baselines and first-order sizing (mass, volume, aerodynamic performance, propulsion match, range, payload, and speed)

Perform trajectory- and mission-coupled concept trades, closing multidisciplinary trades across aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, thermal and TPS mass budgets, manufacturability, and mission effectiveness.

Assess architectural alternatives, identify early technical risks and retirement paths, and present trade studies and recommendations that drive vehicle-level decisions.

Define requirements and validation needs for MDAO and conceptual sizing models used in hypersonic concept design; partner with the MDAO team to keep models decision-relevant.

Apply engineering-fidelity aerodynamic and configuration methods (for example Missile DATCOM, OpenVSP, panel or vortex methods, and surrogate models) and judge when higher-fidelity discipline results should change the concept.

Develop conceptual-level CAD geometry and outer mold line layouts to mature concepts toward preliminary design, collaborating with Air Vehicle Design Engineers as designs progress.

Mentor junior conceptual designers and raise the bar on early-design rigor and engineering judgment.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

7+ years of experience in aerospace vehicle design, conceptual design, or related advanced aerospace development.

Demonstrated experience in hypersonic or high-speed atmospheric conceptual design across multiple vehicle programs, including configuration development, vehicle sizing, and architecture-level trades.

Strong working understanding of vehicle performance, aerodynamics, propulsion integration, structures, mass properties, aerothermal tradeoffs, and multidisciplinary design at conceptual and preliminary design fidelity.

Demonstrated ability to close competing system requirements into vehicle architecture recommendations.

Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Ability to mentor junior conceptual designers and raise the bar on early-design rigor and engineering judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's or Ph.D. degree with focus in hypersonics, vehicle design, or a closely related field.

Experience developing and applying MDAO methods and workflows in conceptual design, including hands-on sizing or trade-study scripting (MATLAB, Python, or similar).

Depth in planform and outer mold line concept development, packaging (propulsion, payload, GNC, fuel or propellant), and propulsion/airframe integration at the concept level.

Experience supporting prototype development or flight testing of a high-speed vehicle.

Familiarity with CAD tools such as NX, CATIA, or Creo.

Experience with low-observable vehicle design, signature-aware configuration, or survivability-informed trades.

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.

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 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!