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.

A Day in the Life 

• 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

What You’ll Do 

• 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

What You’ll Bring

• 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

What You’ll Gain 

• 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

Compensation & Benefits

• 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

About Us

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. With several of our products already approved by the Defense Innovation Unit, we’re solving procurement issues for customers who demand speed, agility, and compliance.

If you love working at the intersection of community, content, and cutting-edge technology, you’ll feel right at home here.

We are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.

Unusual Machines participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

We unfortunately cannot offer visa sponsorship for this position.