Equipment Engineering Manager

You in This Role

The Equipment Engineering Manager is responsible for the design, development, procurement, and delivery of custom-built manufacturing equipment and facility tools. This role owns all production equipment used in the facility, leading both in-house engineering efforts and external suppliers to deliver one-of-a-kind machines that meet aggressive production schedules and customer commitments.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on technical leader with deep experience building custom machinery from the ground up and managing multidisciplinary engineering teams in fast‑paced manufacturing environments.

• Own all manufacturing equipment and facility tools, ensuring performance, reliability, and on‑time delivery
• Lead the design and build of custom machines and tooling, including industrial robotics, conveyors, and vision/camera inspection systems
• Manage end‑to‑end equipment projects, from concept and specification development through design, build, installation, and commissioning
• Write detailed equipment specifications and technical requirements for internally built and supplier‑built machines

• Lead and develop a team of engineers (mechanical, electrical/controls, software, and others), providing technical direction and project oversight
• Manage external equipment suppliers and integrators, both domestic and international
• Balance in‑house development efforts with outsourced builds while maintaining schedule, cost, and quality expectations
• Drive creative and innovative approaches to equipment design and problem‑solving
• Ensure project timelines are met, escalating risks early and knowing when to request additional support
• Support customer‑facing machine builds and ensure delivery commitments are met, including occasional weekend work when required
• Maintain a strong project management discipline with "no stone unturned" execution

• Proven experience building at least five (5) custom machines from the ground up
• Extensive experience with custom machinery design and fabrication in a manufacturing environment
• Strong understanding of industrial automation systems, including:
  • Industrial robots
  • Conveyance systems
  • Vision/camera inspection systems
• Demonstrated experience owning facility equipment from design through procurement and operation
• Prior experience leading and managing an engineering team responsible for building equipment
• Deep understanding of machine design, sourcing, vendor management, and commissioning
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage tight schedules and multiple parallel projects

• Completion of an in‑progress custom machine currently under development (scheduled for completion in August)
• Design and construction of additional custom manufacturing machinery from scratch
• Development of a custom motor balancing machine (primarily in‑house, with potential supplier support)
• Ongoing customer‑specific machine and equipment builds
• Opportunity to innovate with a blank checkbook mentality—resources are available to build best‑in‑class custom machines
• Nearly all equipment projects are one‑of‑a‑kind, offering unique technical challenges
• Freedom to invest in the tools, equipment, and technology needed to do the job right
• Ideal for candidates constrained by budget or bureaucracy in their current role and seeking true engineering ownership

• Competitive compensation package $120,000 - $150,000
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision
• 401(k)
• Unlimited PTO
• Catered lunches for all employees every day of the week
• Employee product discounts

Unusual Machines is a U.S.

-based drone and drone parts company focused on the small and First-Person View (FPV) segments of the drone market. Our brands - Rotor Riot and Fat Shark - are two of the most respected names in FPV and have helped shape the industry through e-commerce, product development, and a deep connection with the pilot community.

We're expanding into enterprise and defense - bringing our obsessive attention to performance, design, and U.S.

-based manufacturing into high‑stakes environments like search and rescue, STEM education, and military innovation.…