Lead Manufacturing Engineer, Packaging

Huntington Beach, California, United States

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.

Mach Industries builds autonomous defense platforms and the factories that produce them  Lead Packaging Engineer, you will own how components and raw materials arrive at our factories, move through them, and move between our sites. That covers supplier packaging, returnable containers, line-side presentation and inter-plant material movement.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role. You will set Mach's inbound, in-plant and inter-plant packaging strategy and standards, design and validate packaging yourself, and mentor a growing team so we can ramp production quickly without compromising quality, safety or cost. You will thrive here if you move fast, work precisely, and are willing to challenge how packaging has traditionally been done.

Own the packaging engineering roadmap for inbound, in-plant and inter-plant packaging across Mach's product lines and factories.

Lead packaging projects from concept through validation, supplier production, plant trials and launch, in line with NPI and production-ramp milestones.

Partner with Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Material Flow, Quality and EHS to define packaging requirements early in product development. Review engineering drawings and specifications to set packaging, quality, safety and material requirements.

Design custom racks, returnable containers, dunnage, kitting carts and expendable packaging that protect parts, maximize pack density and support ergonomic line-side presentation. Release the designs as production-ready CAD and drawings, including tolerance stack-ups.

Use virtual packaging evaluation tools (such as Pack Studio or Pack Assistant) to import part CAD and define each part's orientation and protection requirements. Compare options such as knockdown crates, pigeonhole racks and bulk bins before committing to prototypes or capital.

Define and run packaging validation, including ISTA, ASTM D4169, drop, vibration and compression testing. Apply UN, safety, ergonomic and sustainability requirements, including for inbound lithium batteries, hazardous materials and ESD-sensitive electronics.

Own PFEP (Plan for Every Part) and packaging master data. Map material flow within and between plants to improve handling, storage and replenishment.

Evaluate returnable versus expendable packaging on total cost of ownership, including freight, storage, handling, repair and disposal. Build packaging cost models and capital forecasts for new programs, and present cost drivers and recommendations to leadership.

Select and manage packaging suppliers, and communicate packaging requirements to component suppliers. Approve designs and first articles, resolve nonconformances, and support Purchasing on quotes and negotiations.

Establish packaging standards and supplier packaging requirements. Track KPIs (damage rate, pack density, cost per part, cube utilization) and drive continuous improvement, including expendable-to-returnable conversions.

Mentor packaging engineers and technicians, and help hire and build the team.

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Packaging, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, or equivalent experience.

7+ years of packaging engineering experience in automotive, aerospace, defense or other hardware manufacturing, including leading projects end to end.

Hands-on experience designing racks, returnable containers, dunnage, expendable packaging and material handling solutions.

Proficiency in 3D CAD (Siemens NX, Solid Works, CATIA or similar), including GD&T and tolerance stack-ups.

Strong knowledge of packaging materials (steel, aluminum, plastics, foams, corrugated, wood) and related processes (welding, sheet metal,…