Lead Manufacturing Engineer, DFMA - Joining

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 As Lead Manufacturing Engineer, Joining, you'll be Mach's go-to expert on how our vehicles are held together: when to bolt, rivet, bond, or combine methods. You'll own torque tooling and adhesive dispense standards in Mach's prototype factory. That means selecting, buying and deploying the tools our technicians use to build every vehicle, and making sure each joint is tightened right, every torque curve is reported, and every bead of adhesive meets profile inspection criteria.

You'll push the field forward through research and development (R&D) on new materials, hardware and processes; from designing experiments, to building test articles, partnering with suppliers and moving what works into production. This is a hands-on technical leadership role with direct reports. This role will work closely with Design Engineering, Vehicle Assembly ME, Prototype Factory operations, Quality, Supply Chain and Production to achieve overall production ramp goals across Mach’s factories.

Key Responsibilities Own the Joining DFMA guide

Write, publish and maintain Mach's Joining DFMA guide. It should cover:
design rules, with the reasoning and test data behind them preferred fasteners, adhesives and joining processes standard joint features and tolerances worked examples and review checklists

Own Mach's preferred fastener and adhesive lists. Cut unique part numbers and drive commonality across programs.

Define joint design rules:
fasteners: preload and torque, edge distance and pitch, thread engagement, inserts and locking methods galvanic compatibilitybondlines: overlap, thickness control and surface prep

Set standards for automated fastening and dispensing: torque-angle monitoring, auto-feed fasteners, bead geometry and in-process inspection.

Define the DFMA sign-off criteria for design gates and hold programs to them.

Set and track DFMA metrics for each program, such as part count, unique fastener count, assembly time, first-pass yield and cost.

Keep the guide current with test results, production lessons and supplier input. Train design and manufacturing engineers to apply it.

Own torque tooling in the prototype factory

Own torque tooling procurement: write tool specs, choose vendors, run quotes, manage lead times and own the tooling budget.

Deploy tools on the floor:
set up tool programs and torque strategies (torque, torque-angle, yield control) connect tool controllers to the production tracking system (MES) so every result is recorded

Build torque mistake-proofing into each station, such as socket selectors, fastener count checks, and interlocks that run the right tool program for each joint.

Run the torque tool calibration and maintenance program. Verify tool capability on real joints and set residual (audit) torque checks with Quality.

Shape designs early

Review vehicle architecture and material choices at concept, before designs lock, with an eye to how parts will be joined.

Run DFMA studies at the part, assembly and system level, and give design teams specific feedback backed by data.

Drive…