Chief Mechanical Engineer

Full Job Description

Company Overview ACS (Allen Control Systems) is a defense technology company building precision robotic systems for the United States and its allies. Founded by two former U.S. Navy electrical engineers with deep experience in robotics and software, ACS brings together AI, computer vision, precision motion, and advanced hardware to solve complex defense challenges across land, air, and maritime environments.

Our flagship product, Bullfrog, is an autonomous precision weapon system that transforms existing weapons into highly accurate counter-drone systems — giving warfighters a scalable, cost-effective response to one of the fastest-growing threats on the modern battlefield. Bullfrog is deployed with U.S. forces, and ACS works with organizations throughout the U.S. military and national security community.

Following a $200 million Series B at a $2.2 billion valuation, ACS is rapidly expanding manufacturing, accelerating Bullfrog deployments, and developing the next generation of autonomous battlefield systems. This is an opportunity to join a proven, fast-moving team and help scale technology with direct, real-world impact on national security.

ACS is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with additional operations in Alexandria, Virginia; Mountain View, California; and Huntsville, Alabama. For more information, visit allencontrolsystems.com.

About The Role

We are looking for a Chief Mechanical Engineer to serve as the highest-level technical authority on mechanical engineering and product architecture at ACS. This is a senior individual contributor role requiring deep hands-on expertise across electromechanical systems design, testing, and validation. You will provide technical direction across structural, thermal, motion-control, and manufacturing domains, drive architecture decisions, and ensure on-time delivery of complex, mission-critical defense products from concept through deployment.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the mechanical engineering team’s highest-level technical authority; provide direction and review complex electromechanical design decisions across structural, thermal, motion-control, and manufacturing domains.

• Oversee mechanical testing, validation, and qualification activities to ensure designs meet performance, reliability, environmental, and operational requirements.

• Own engineering execution from concept through deployment; partner with leadership to define priorities, timelines, and milestones, and ensure projects are delivered on schedule and within scope.

• Work closely with product, operations, and leadership to align engineering efforts with company objectives; establish and maintain engineering processes, design reviews, and documentation standards to support rapid development and long-term maintainability.

What You’ll Need

• 12+ years of mechanical engineering experience developing complex electromechanical systems; Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

• Proven track record as a technical lead, principal engineer, chief engineer, or equivalent senior technical authority on electromechanical systems, robotics, autonomous systems, or complex defense hardware.

• Experience delivering products that operate in demanding environmental and operational conditions; strong project management instincts with the ability to balance speed, quality, and technical risk.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

You’ll Stand Out

• Prior experience in defense systems, robotics, autonomous platforms, or safety-critical environments.

• Deep expertise in precision mechanisms, motion systems, thermal management, ruggedized hardware, or high-performance electromechanical products.

• Experience building or scaling engineering teams in fast-paced startup environments.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary

• ACS Equity Package

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

• Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. #LI-AS1

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