Principal Controls Engineer
About Mach Industries
Founded in 2022, 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 220 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
Own the control architecture for Mach’s fixed-wing aircraft. You’ll lead the design, implementation, and validation of flight-critical control laws—spanning takeoff to landing—delivering robust performance across the full envelope.
Key Responsibilities
Define control system architecture and requirements for fixed-wing vehicles (primary flight control, envelope protection, autothrottle/energy mgmt, and mode logic).
Design and implement control laws accounting for actuator limits, time delays, and sensor noise.
Lead system identification and aerodynamic model development from wind-tunnel, CFD, and flight-test data; build accurate linearizations
Develop fault-tolerant and reconfiguration strategies (sensor/actuator FDI, control allocation, redundancy mgmt) with graceful degradation.
Own verification & validation: SIL/HIL campaigns, Monte Carlo, and flight-readiness criteria; establish performance dashboards.
Drive flight-test planning and execution; analyze logs, tune controllers, and iterate safely and quickly.
Mentor the controls team, set technical standards, conduct design/code reviews, and influence roadmap and milestones.
Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelors in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics
Experience: 8+ years designing and fielding flight control systems for fixed-wing aircraft or high-performance UAVs, including flight test.
Deep knowledge of flight dynamics, stability/controllability, and actuator/sensor modeling.
Proficiency in modern C++ for embedded real-time implementations; strong MATLAB/Python for modeling, ID, and analysis.
Demonstrated ownership of verification workflows (SIL/HIL), requirements traceability, and safety reviews.
Familiarity with modern software workflows (git, code review, issue tracking) and data/telemetry analysis.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with energy-based control, autothrottle, sideslip/yaw coordination, and advanced control allocation for over-actuated systems
Experience integrating with PX4 and ROS 2. Exposure to DO-178C/DO-331/ARP4754A processes or equivalent rigor.
Comfort optimizing for resource-constrained processors and hard real-time constraints (latency/jitter budgets, numerics)
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!