Company Overview
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.
About The Role
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.
What You’ll Do
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.
What You’ll Need
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.
You’ll Stand Out
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.
What We Offer
Competitive salary
ACS Equity Package
Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
Paid Time Off
Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. #LI-AS1
Skills Required
- 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 on electromechanical systems, robotics, autonomous systems, or complex defense hardware
- Deep hands-on expertise across electromechanical systems design, testing, and validation
- Experience delivering products that operate in demanding environmental and operational conditions (ruggedization, environmental qualification)
- Ability to drive architecture decisions across structural, thermal, motion-control, and manufacturing domains
- Strong project management instincts with ability to prioritize, set timelines, and deliver projects on schedule
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for conveying technical concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Prior experience in defense systems, robotics, autonomous platforms, or safety-critical environments
- Deep expertise in precision mechanisms, motion systems, thermal management, or ruggedized hardware
- Experience building or scaling engineering teams in fast-paced startup environments
Allen Control Systems Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Health, dental, and vision coverage are consistently listed as employer‑provided across current role descriptions, indicating a solid core healthcare offering. This aligns with the startup‑standard package the company advertises.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off is explicitly advertised alongside core health benefits in multiple postings. While accrual details aren’t shown publicly, its consistent inclusion signals baseline time‑off coverage.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An “ACS Equity Package” is repeatedly called out in job descriptions, suggesting equity grants are a standard component of total compensation. Visibility of equity across roles points to broad access to ownership upside, with specifics to be confirmed.
Allen Control Systems Insights
What We Do
Allen Control Systems is a defense technology company for a new era of drone warfare and to completely change battlefield economics. ACS is developing counter-drone robotic gun systems targeted at neutralizing attacking drone swarms, drones that are pre-programmed with AI, and drones that are non-jammable. ACS was created to lower the cost per kill of a drone to a few dollars. We do this by combining cutting-edge hardware and software that allows us to point an inexpensive gun that already exists in the field more accurately than anyone ever has before. ACS is a remote organization, with our HQ in Austin, Texas, and an office in Alexandria, Va. If you're passionate about our mission, we’d love to hear from you.
Allen Control Systems Offices
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