Thermal Engineer (Avionics & PCBs)

Department: Mach Vehicles

Location: Huntington Beach, CA

Compensation: $120K – $210K • Offers Equity • Multiple Ranges

Employment Type: FullTime

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.

Responsibilities

• Own thermal design and analysis of avionics components, including PCBAs, COTS electronic devices, and custom enclosures.

• Predict and manage junction temperatures, heat spreading, coldspots, and hotspots under mission-relevant conditions.

• Provide guidance on component placement, stackups, copper, and via strategies for optimizing thermal performance.

• Design conduction paths and interfaces (PCB → chassis, TIMs, contact resistances).

• Plan and execute board-level thermal testing and model correlation (thermocouples, IR, model validation).

Basic Qualifications

• Experience in electronics/PCB thermal analysis (avionics, power electronics, or similar).

• Strong grasp of conduction and radiation-dominated heat transfer and transient thermal behavior.

• Proficiency with thermal tools (Icepak, Fluent, Thermal Desktop, or equivalent).

• Experience with thermal testing and validation of electronics hardware.

• Ability to work cross-functionally with software, electrical, and mechanical teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience optimizing PCB layout for thermal performance (placement, planes, vias).

• Background in avionics or embedded electronics thermal design.

• Experience with high power-density or transient thermal loads.

• Experience with heat sink design.

• Experience with high altitude or space systems.

• Familiarity with chassis/enclosure integration and low-convection environments.

• Experience building custom analysis tools (Python/MATLAB) or rapid trade studies.

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!

Introduction

Welcome to Mach's Recruiting Privacy Policy. Your privacy is important to us, and we are committed to protecting your personal information. This policy outlines the types of information we collect, how we use it, and the measures we take to safeguard it during the recruiting process.

Information We Collect

1. Personal Identifiers: Such as your name, address, email, phone number, and social security number.

2. Resume Information: Including your employment history, educational background, skills, and references.

3. Assessment Results: Results of interviews, tests, or background checks.

4. Technical Information: Data collected through our recruiting software or website, such as IP addresses or browser type.

How We Use Your Information

1. Evaluation: To evaluate your suitability for employment.

2. Communication: To communicate with you about the recruitment process.

3. Compliance: To fulfill legal or regulatory requirements.

4. Improvement: To improve our recruiting process.

How We Share Your Information

We may share your personal information with:

1. Internal Teams: Such as HR and hiring managers.

2. Service Providers: Third-party companies that assist with our recruiting process.

3. Legal Authorities: When required by law or regulation.

Data Security

We implement a variety of security measures to protect your personal information, including encryption, secure servers, and limited access to authorized personnel.

Your Rights

1. Access: You have the right to access your personal information.

2. Correction: The right to correct inaccurate data.

3. Deletion: The right to request deletion of your data, subject to legal limitations.

4. Objection: You may object to the processing of your data.

Changes to this Policy

We reserve the right to update this policy at any time. Updates will be posted on this page and, where appropriate, notified to you.

Contact Information

For any questions or concerns, please contact our Data Protection Officer at contact@machindustries.com.

By applying for a job at Mach, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Recruiting Privacy Policy.