Senior Automation Engineer, Robotics

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 Automation Engineer, Robotics to develop and deploy our industrial robotics platform across manufacturing.

You will establish standardized architectures for industrial robots and collaborative robots, develop robotic automation for pilot production lines, and create the software, hardware, safety, and integration standards used to scale robotics across Mach factories.

This is a hands-on engineering role. You will design robotic cells, program and commission robots, develop ROS 2-based robotics applications, integrate vision and end-of-arm tooling, and work directly with manufacturing engineers and systems integrators to take automation from concept through production.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop Mach's standardized robotics platform for industrial robots and cobots.
• Define robot hardware, software, communication, safety, and integration standards for production equipment.
• Design, program, integrate, and commission robotic automation for pilot and production manufacturing systems.
• Develop reusable robotics software and architectures using ROS 2, finite state machines, behavior trees, and native industrial robot programming environments.
• Establish software engineering standards for robotics including CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, deployment, version control, dependency management, and containerization.
• Develop standardized methods for robot software deployment, configuration management, releases, rollback, and recovery across production equipment.
• Design robotic cell architectures including robots, cobots, end-of-arm tooling, fixturing, vision systems, sensors, guarding, and material handling.
• Develop and integrate applications including machine tending, assembly, dispensing, material handling, inspection, welding, and other manufacturing processes.
• Integrate robots and ROS 2 applications with Beckhoff TwinCAT controls systems and establish standardized PLC-to-robot interfaces.
• Integrate 2D/3D machine vision, force/torque sensing, servo tooling, and other advanced robotic peripherals.
• Develop standards for robot calibration, TCP definition, coordinate frames, path optimization, fault handling, recovery, and repeatability validation.
• Partner with controls and safety engineers to develop safe robotic systems including guarding, interlocks, safe motion, scanners, and collaborative applications.
• Develop simulation and virtual commissioning workflows to validate robotic applications before deployment to physical equipment.
• Translate successful pilot systems into robotics standards and specifications that can be deployed by external systems integrators.
• Review and support integrator robotic designs, programming, simulation, FAT, SAT, and commissioning.
• Troubleshoot robotic, mechanical, controls, vision, networking, and software issues during equipment startup and production ramp.
• Optimize robot paths, cycle times, reliability, fault recovery, and OEE to achieve production Run at Rate milestones.
• Mentor engineers and technicians on robotic system design, software architecture, programming, and troubleshooting.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience developing industrial robotic or automated manufacturing systems.
• Strong hands-on experience programming and commissioning industrial robots.
• Hands-on experience developing robotic systems using ROS 2.
• Proficiency in C++ and/or Python for robotics applications.
• Experience designing and integrating complete robotic cells including robots, tooling, sensors, controls, and safety systems.
• Experience integrating robots with PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment.
• Strong understanding of robot coordinate systems, TCPs, motion programming, calibration, path planning, and fault recovery.
• Experience designing robotic software architectures using finite state machines and/or behavior trees.
• Experience with modern software development practices including Git-based version control, CI/CD, automated testing, and containerized deployment.
• Experience taking robotic equipment from concept through integration, commissioning, and production.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex electromechanical, controls, networking, and software systems directly on manufacturing equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced experience with one or more major robotics platforms such as FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa, Universal Robots, Standard Bots or similar.
• Experience developing standardized robotic software or architectures deployed across multiple machines or production lines.
• Experience integrating robotics with Beckhoff TwinCAT, EtherCAT, and TwinSAFE.
• Experience with NVIDIA Isaac Sim, digital twins, robotic simulation, or virtual commissioning.
• Experience with 2D/3D machine vision, robot guidance, force/torque sensing, or advanced robotic process control.
• Experience applying machine learning to robotic perception, manipulation, inspection, process optimization, or other manufacturing applications.
• Experience developing robotics data-acquisition systems for telemetry, diagnostics, process monitoring, or model development.
• Experience designing or specifying end-of-arm tooling, automated fixturing, and robotic material-handling systems.
• Experience with offline robot programming, motion planning, collision detection, or trajectory optimization.
• Familiarity with industrial robot and machine-safety standards including ISO 10218, ISO/TS 15066, and ISO 13849.
• Experience working with systems integrators and equipment OEMs.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, electronics, semiconductor, or other advanced manufacturing environments.

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

$150,000—$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.

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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!