Head of Factory Software & Vehicle Diagnostics

About the role

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 At Mach Industries, we are designing and building the world’s most advanced production system for high-performance autonomous defense vehicles. To achieve this, the vehicle and the factory must operate as a single, tightly-coupled system — firmware, diagnostics, factory automation, and data all working together in real time. The Head of Factory Software & Vehicle Diagnostics will own the software that powers the factory floor, the systems that flash and validate every vehicle, the controls that automate production, and the data infrastructure that keeps engineering and manufacturing aligned. This leader will build and scale a multidisciplinary team across software, automation, diagnostics, and data, with the singular goal of enabling fast, repeatable, and reliable vehicle production at unprecedented scale. You will architect the full software stack that connects the factory to the vehicle, design automated EOL and test systems, lead firmware delivery operations, and ensure that every vehicle rolling off the line is verified, traceable, and ready for the battlefield. This role directly influences factory throughput, product quality, and the pace at which we can deploy new capability to the warfighter. Key Responsibilities Build, lead, and develop a cross-functional organization including manufacturing software engineers, controls engineers, firmware-tools engineers, diagnostic engineers, and data platform engineers. Own the end-to-end architecture for factory software, including MES-like systems, build tracking, serialization, and production workflow tools. Lead the design and implementation of vehicle flashing, commissioning, and diagnostics pipelines inside the factory. Define and deliver the vehicle–factory communication framework (CAN, Ethernet, custom protocols, telemetry ingestion, APIs). Oversee all end-of-line (EOL) software, automated test stands, calibration systems, and data acquisition infrastructure. Partner with manufacturing engineering, build engineering, design engineering, flight software, and NPI teams to integrate software tools and processes across the vehicle lifecycle. Implement highly reliable production-grade software with redundancy, observability, and real-time data health monitoring. Drive rapid iteration and continuous improvement of test coverage, automation, and factory efficiency. Own uptime, performance, and correctness for all software critical to production and test operations. Establish coding standards, architecture strategies, and long-range roadmaps for factory software and diagnostics. Ensure secure, reliable, and traceable firmware distribution and flashing for every vehicle and subsystem. Lead integration with automation equipment, PLC/controls systems, robotics, and HIL infrastructure. Build and maintain dashboards and data systems that provide real-time visibility into factory health, vehicle readiness, test results, and fleet production status. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related engineering field. 10+ years of experience in software engineering, controls engineering, automated testing, manufacturing software, or firmware systems. 5+ years of experience leading technical teams or engineering organizations. Proven track record of shipping production-critical software or managing large-scale automated test systems. Strong systems-level thinking across software, hardware, networks, and manufacturing workflows. Deep expertise in one or more of the following areas: Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) PLCs and industrial controls (Beckhoff, Siemens, B&R, Allen-Bradley) Firmware flashing, bootloaders, and secure signing Vehicle or embedded diagnostics (CAN, LIN, Ethernet, UDS, custom protocols) Test automation frameworks, HIL systems, or end-of-line validation Data pipelines (Kafka, Pub/Sub, historians), telemetry streaming, and reliability engineering Ability to translate complex factory needs into elegant software and automation solutions. Experience building and scaling high-performance engineering teams from the ground up. Comfortable operating in high-velocity environments and solving novel, ambiguous challenges. Strong desire to work hands-on in the factory—collaborating directly with technicians and hardware. Willingness to travel between factories and test sites as needed. Flexibility to work extended hours and weekends to support production ramp-up, testing, and critical milestones. Preferred Qualifications Experience working in high-reliability or regulated industries (e.g., aerospace, defense, automotive). Familiarity with secure software development practices and cybersecurity for embedded or factory systems. Exposure to high-throughput manufacturing environments with end-of-line test integration. Prior involvement in facility stand-up, factory digitization, or smart manufacturing initiatives. 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!