System Reliability Engineer Program Manager

About the role

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 System Reliability Engineer Program Manager to own the end-to-end reliability program for our complex autonomous defense platforms. You will set system reliability targets, drive risk assessments and test strategies, integrate component/sub-assembly inputs from commodity industrialization engineers, and turn field, test, and manufacturing evidence into clear decisions and corrective actions. This role sits at the intersection of Systems, Design, Avionics, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Test, Quality, and field operations. You will provide technical direction to commodity SIEs, own the reliability data that informs levels of control and critical failure points, and communicate residual risk and recommended mitigations to technical and program leadership. The work is hands-on and requires close engagement with vehicle architectures, hardware, test evidence, manufacturing records, and field data, primarily from our Huntington Beach site. Key Responsibilities - Own the system reliability program across architecture, design, integration, qualification, production, and field operation. - Define system reliability objectives, allocations, assumptions, and evidence requirements for integrated mechanical, electrical, software-enabled, and propulsion systems. - Maintain reliability block diagrams, system FMECA, fault trees, interface-risk assessments, and single-point-failure analyses for platform architectures. - Integrate component and sub-assembly reliability assessments from supplier industrialization engineers into system-level risk, readiness, and mitigation decisions. - Define targeted qualification, environmental, screening, accelerated-life, and integrated-system tests based on mission risks and failure hypotheses. - Lead system-level failure investigations using teardown evidence, test data, manufacturing records, supplier information, and field observations. - Establish and maintain failure-reporting, corrective-action, and reliability-growth workflows that connect field and production evidence to design and process changes. - Communicate reliability risk, residual risk, confidence, and recommended mitigations to technical and program leadership under schedule pressure. - Provide technical direction and systems-level alignment across commodity industrialization engineers responsible for component and sub-assembly reliability. - Up to 50% travel Required Qualifications - Bachelor's or master's degree in systems engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, reliability engineering, or equivalent professional experience. - Ten or more years of experience in system reliability, hardware reliability, failure analysis, test engineering, or complex electromechanical systems engineering. - Demonstrated experience applying reliability block diagrams, FMEA or FMECA, fault-tree analysis, root-cause analysis, or comparable system-reliability methods. - Experience allocating system reliability requirements to components and sub-assemblies and integrating their evidence into platform-level decisions. - Experience defining targeted tests and mitigations from incomplete reliability data, failure hypotheses, or field evidence. - Ability to lead cross-functional technical work, make risk-based decisions, and explain reliability tradeoffs to technical and non-technical audiences. Preferred Qualifications - Experience with aerospace, defense, UAS, propulsion, robotics, autonomous systems, automotive, or other high-consequence hardware. - Experience with environmental qualification, accelerated-life testing, reliability demonstration, screening, or integrated-system test campaigns. - Familiarity with MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-1629, MIL-HDBK-217, ARP4761, or comparable reliability and safety standards. - Experience with FRACAS, field-failure tracking, closed-loop corrective action, reliability-growth planning, or warranty and recall analysis. - Experience coordinating supplier, component, and sub-assembly reliability work across machining, turbomachinery, avionics, PCBA, harnessing, composites, and castings. - Experience building reliability programs and technical standards in a startup, high-growth manufacturing, or regulated hardware environment. 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 $180,000 — $220,000 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. 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!