Field Drone Technician

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 Field Drone Technician to support the assembly, maintenance, checkout, and field operation of autonomous aircraft and their supporting equipment. This is an entry-level, hands-on technical role for someone who enjoys working on mechanical, electrical, and aviation systems.

You will work alongside Crew Chiefs, Forward Deployed Autonomous Systems Engineers, Flight Test Engineers, the Manufacturing team, and other technical teams to prepare aircraft for testing and deployment. You will execute approved work instructions and checklists, maintain tools and support equipment, track vehicle hardware, and assist with troubleshooting in the field.

This role provides the opportunity to develop broad experience across autonomous aircraft, launch systems, ground equipment, manufacturing, maintenance, and flight operations. Success requires attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, disciplined execution, and a willingness to learn in both shop and field environments.

Key Responsibilities

Vehicle Preparation and Maintenance

• Perform vehicle checkout, systems testing, and preflight activities using approved procedures and checklists
• Conduct basic mechanical, electrical, avionics, structural, and wire-harness inspections
• Support the assembly, integration, maintenance, repair, and configuration of autonomous aircraft
• Use approved torque practices, tooling, and work instructions
• Assist with hardware integration and vehicle configuration changes
• Maintain accurate records of completed work and vehicle condition
• Escalate technical issues, damage, or conditions outside approved procedures

Inventory, Tools, and Support Equipment

• Track vehicle hardware, components, spares, and assigned inventory
• Maintain accountability for tools, test equipment, and support equipment
• Inspect and maintain fueling equipment, launchers, and other ground-support systems
• Verify that required tools, spares, consumables, and support equipment are available for tests and deployments
• Help maintain clean, organized, and flight-ready work areas

Quality and Documentation

• Execute work in accordance with drawings, work instructions, checklists, and configuration requirements
• Identify and document defects, discrepancies, and nonconforming hardware
• Initiate or support nonconformance reports under the direction of Crew Chiefs, Quality, or Engineering
• Maintain accurate maintenance, inspection, inventory, and operational records
• Support configuration control by ensuring the installed hardware matches approved documentation

Test and Field Operations

• Support flight tests, customer demonstrations, and multi-day field deployments
• Assist with vehicle setup, preflight, launch preparation, recovery, and post-flight inspection
• Perform field-level troubleshooting under the direction of a Crew Chief or engineer
• Support vehicle and equipment packout, transport, setup, and teardown
• Provide clear feedback regarding vehicle condition, equipment issues, and procedural gaps
• Follow all applicable safety, range, and operational requirements

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude through professional, military, trade-school, academic, or personal project experience
• Basic understanding of mechanical systems and common hand tools
• Basic electrical knowledge, including the ability to recognize common connectors, wiring, and electrical components
• Basic familiarity with avionics, aviation, robotics, unmanned aircraft, or comparable electromechanical systems
• Basic understanding of aerodynamic and flight principles
• Ability to conduct visual structural and hardware inspections
• Familiarity with proper torque practices and hardware installation
• Ability to inspect wire harnesses, connectors, and hardware installations
• Ability to follow drawings, work instructions, checklists, and verbal technical direction
• Strong attention to detail and personal accountability
• Ability to document discrepancies and communicate technical problems clearly
• Ability to lift and move equipment and work in shop, range, and outdoor field environments
• Ability to travel and support multi-day deployments
• Ability to meet applicable security, export-control, and customer-access requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical certificate, associate degree, military technical training, or equivalent practical experience in aviation, maintenance, manufacturing, electronics, robotics, or a related field
• Experience maintaining aircraft, unmanned aircraft, vehicles, robotics, or other electromechanical systems
• Experience in aviation maintenance or flight-line operations
• Experience in a manufacturing, integration, or prototype-development environment
• Experience reading engineering drawings and executing controlled work instructions
• Experience conducting vehicle checkout or preflight inspections
• Experience supporting flight operations, testing, or field deployments
• Experience with unmanned aircraft systems or robotics
• Experience maintaining fueling, launching, or other ground-support equipment
• Experience using maintenance, inventory, quality, or manufacturing-management systems
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

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 .

Pay Range $30 — $40 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.