$240K – $280K/yr
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 Principal GNC Engineer to define, develop, and flight-prove the GNC architecture for autonomous aircraft and related defense platforms. You will own system-level technical decisions across guidance, navigation, flight controls, modeling and simulation, embedded implementation, and flight test. This is a hands-on technical leadership role. You will solve the program’s hardest problems, establish engineering rigor, and guide multidisciplinary teams from early vehicle design through flight qualification and deployment. The ideal candidate combines deep flight-vehicle expertise with strong software judgment, decisive technical leadership, and a record of fielding reliable systems. Key Responsibilities Own the end-to-end GNC architecture and technical roadmap across all mission phases, from launch or takeoff through terminal operations, recovery, or landing. Translate mission objectives and vehicle concepts into GNC requirements, interfaces, performance budgets, and verification criteria. Design, analyze, and mature guidance algorithms, control laws, state-estimation solutions, gain schedules, and control-allocation strategies. Ensure robust performance across the full operating envelope while accounting for aerodynamic u
