Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Mechanisms

Huntington Beach, California, United States DEFENSE Full-time $140k to $180k Posted Oct 15, 2026
Apply on Mach Industries (opens in a new tab) Sourced via job-boards.greenhouse.io · Posted 2026-10-15

About this role

Mach Industries is hiring a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Mechanisms, full-time, on-site in Huntington Beach, California, United States, in the DEFENSE sector.

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 Mechanisms Engineer to design, analyze, prototype, and deliver mechanical mechanisms for next-generation aerospace and defense platforms.

In this hands-on role, you will own mechanism development from initial concept and kinematic architecture through detailed design, prototyping, testing, and production release. You will develop moving assemblies that meet demanding requirements for performance, reliability, mass, packaging, and environmental survivability while optimizing for manufacturability, assembly, cost, and production scalability.

You will work closely with mechanical, structures, avionics, controls, manufacturing, and test engineering teams to integrate mechanisms into larger vehicle systems. The ideal candidate combines strong mechanical fundamentals with practical experience designing, building, and troubleshooting complex moving hardware in a fast-paced development environment.

Key Responsibilities

  • Own the mechanical design and development of mechanisms, from early CAD concepts to functional prototypes, drawing releases including GD&T, and eventually mass production.

  • Design and analyze linkages, pivots, joints, bearings, shafts, gears, cams, latches, hinges, deployable assemblies and other mechanisms to meet program requirements.

  • Define requirements for and select actuators, motors, and other drive systems to meet required profiles, torques, speeds, and positioning requirements.

  • Drive manufacturability, part selection, and tolerance stack-up decisions (GD&T) for scalable production.

  • Design fixtures and tooling to manufacture, assembly, inspect, qualify, and test mechanism assemblies

  • Perform analytical modeling and simulation (kinematics and FEA) to evaluate mechanism system performance, guide design decisions, and inform trade studies.

  • Work cross functionally to establish mechanism requirements, schedules, and interface control documents (ICDs)

  • Ability to support critical development and test milestones, including occasional extended hours and weekends as needed

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

  • 5+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, with a focus on designing and prototyping moving, mechanism systems

  • Strong skills in 3D modeling with CAD tools (e.g., NX, SolidWorks, etc.) including expertise in drafting and GD&T per ASME Y14.5

  • Strong understanding of mechanical design fundamentals, including kinematics, force and torque transmission, bearings and joints, fits and clearances, tolerance stack-ups, and structural load paths.

  • Demonstrated experience taking mechanisms from concept through detailed design, prototyping, functional testing, and design iteration.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

  • Experience developing mechanisms for aerospace vehicles, UAVs, robotics, deployable systems, flight controls, or other mass- and volume-constrained applications.

  • Experience analyzing mechanism kinematics, dynamic loads, friction, wear, fatigue, and tolerance sensitivity.

  • Experience with mechanism reliability, life-cycle testing, environmental qualification, vibration, shock, and temperature extremes.

  • Experience integrating mechanical mechanisms with electric, electromechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuation systems.

  • Experience designing for cross discipline impact including aerodynamics, fluid dynamics, or thermal management

  • Experience with programming or scripting in Python, MATLAB, C++, or equivalent tools for engineering calculations, kinematic modeling, simulation, or test data analysis.

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 $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 Privacy
To 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.

Description from Mach Industries's official posting. Always confirm details on the company careers page.

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About Mach Industries

Mach Industries

Company in the mobility sector tracked nightly on the Mobility Jobs board.

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Larry Sherwood Jr.

About Larry Sherwood Jr.

Talent Acquisition Leader specializing in mobility, EV, and frontier tech. 1,000+ hires across roles ranging from production technicians to VPs, including 48 hires for the AFEELA U.S. launch at Sony Honda Mobility (98% offer acceptance, $1.5M+ agency savings). SHRM-CP certified. Build recruiting functions from scratch, no agencies.

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Curated by Larry Sherwood Jr. on the free Mobility Jobs board. Pulled nightly from company applicant tracking systems. Apply directly on the source link above to be considered.