Engineering Program Manager

Employer description

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.

We are seeking an Engineering Program Manager (EPM) to own the programmatic mechanics of a vehicle program — schedule tracking, risk and issue management, review cadence, and cross-functional coordination — so that the Chief Engineer's time stays focused on technical authority rather than schedule bookkeeping. You will act as the Chief Engineer's execution counterpart: surfacing schedule and resourcing risk before it becomes a problem, keeping Department Heads and the Capability Development Manager (CDM) in sync with program status, and ensuring that commitments made to leadership and the customer are grounded in what the schedule and risk register actually show.

• Own the day-to-day program mechanics of a vehicle: schedule tracking, the risk/issue register, review cadence, and cross-functional coordination logistics.
• Own how the program tracks and reports schedule, risk, and dependencies, along with key metrics and KPIs.
• Own the timeline for SRR, CODR, PDR, and CDR — content ownership of each review stays with the Chief Engineer and Responsible Engineers; the EPM owns how the program tracks and reports against that timeline.
• Track overall program cost and budget alongside Finance.
• Surface schedule and resourcing risk to the Chief Engineer and relevant Department Heads as soon as it becomes visible in the tracking data, rather than at the next scheduled review.
• Coordinate cross-functionally between Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Staffing on behalf of a given vehicle program.
• Provide consolidated, accurate program status updates to company leadership, Growth team, and customers.
• Coordinate closely with the Capability Development Manager (CDM) to keep customer-facing commitments and internal schedule tracking in sync.
• Route scope changes or additional resourcing requests to the relevant Department Head for review before they're reflected in the schedule.
• Jointly escalate, alongside the Chief Engineer and Department Head, any schedule or resourcing risk that can't be resolved between them — providing the supporting data for that escalation.

• Experience in a program or project management role on a hardware, engineering, or technical product — ideally one with multiple concurrent workstreams and cross-functional dependencies.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain schedule, risk, and dependency tracking that technical leadership actually trusts and uses.
• Comfort surfacing bad news early — flagging schedule slip or risk as soon as it's visible rather than smoothing it over until a review forces the conversation.
• Strong cross-functional coordination skills, with experience working across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and finance stakeholders.
• Clear written and verbal communication, with the ability to translate program-tracking detail into a concise status narrative for leadership.

• Background in aerospace, defense, or another regulated hardware industry with formal design-review gates (SRR, CODR, PDR, CDR or equivalents).
• Experience partnering directly with a technical architecture owner (Chief Engineer or equivalent) as their execution counterpart, rather than owning the technical decisions themselves.
• Experience coordinating with a customer-facing or account-management counterpart (e.g., a CDM, TAM, or customer program manager) to keep external and internal timelines aligned.
• Familiarity with formal risk/issue register tooling and structured schedule-tracking methods (critical path, earned value, etc.).
• Prior experience navigating a scope or resourcing conflict jointly with technical and departmental leadership, rather than unilaterally.

• Available to work extended hours and weekends as needed

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.  

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.

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!