Chief Mechanical Engineer

Allen Control Systems•Austin, TX

About The Position

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing an autonomous gun turret using advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely detect, track, and neutralize enemy drones. With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders’ successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real-world impact. 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.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.