
Mission Operations Engineer at Allen Control Systems (Austin, TX)
Allen Control Systems· Austin, TX·
Role details
Competitive Salary · ACS Equity Package · Health Insurance · Dental Insurance · Vision Insurance · Paid Time Off
Allen Control Systems at a glance
Defense-tech startup building Bullfrog, an autonomous robotic weapon station that uses AI and computer vision to shoot down drones at a fraction of the cost of missiles.
ACS builds Bullfrog, an autonomous weapon station that mounts a common service machine gun and adds passive optical sensing, machine-vision tracking, and AI fire control to detect and neutralize hostile drones. A human authorizes every shot. The pitch is battlefield economics: driving the cost-per-kill of a drone down to as low as ten dollars.
$242M raised · latest: Series B · $200M · 2026 · backed by Smash Capital, Craft Ventures, Rally Ventures, Inspired Capital
Summary
The Mission Operations Engineer plans and executes domestic and international events to support defense technologies. This role bridges the gap between engineers, operators, and clients by integrating UAS systems into mission environments and providing operational support.
Job description
Company Overview ACS (Allen Control Systems) is a defense technology company building precision robotic systems for the United States and its allies. Founded by two former U.S. Navy electrical engineers with deep experience in robotics and software, ACS brings together AI, computer vision, precision motion, and advanced hardware to solve complex defense challenges across land, air, and maritime environments. Our flagship product, Bullfrog, is an autonomous precision weapon system that transforms existing weapons into highly accurate counter-drone systems — giving warfighters a scalable, cost-effective response to one of the fastest-growing threats on the modern battlefield. Bullfrog is deployed with U.S. forces, and ACS works with organizations throughout the U.S. military and national security community. Following a $200 million Series B at a $2.2 billion valuation, ACS is rapidly expanding manufacturing, accelerating Bullfrog deployments, and developing the next generation of autonomous battlefield systems. This is an opportunity to join a proven, fast-moving team and help scale technology with direct, real-world impact on national security. ACS is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with additional operations in Alexandria, Virginia; Mountain View, California; and Huntsville, Alabama. For more information, visit allencontrolsystems.com.
Position Overview: As a Mission Operations Engineer, you will be at the center of how ACS technologies are applied across real-world missions. You’ll plan and execute domestic and international events, provide critical support to program managers, and bridge the gap between engineers, operators, and clients. This role combines technical understanding with operational execution, ensuring ACS systems are effectively integrated into a wide range of mission environments. What You’ll Do:
- Plan and execute CONUS and OCONUS events, coordinating mission readiness and operational support.
- Support program managers in meeting client requirements and mission objectives.
- Educate engineers on tactical implementation of ACS assets across the spectrum of warfare.
- Develop and maintain a deep understanding of defense-in-depth technical characteristics and operational challenges.
- Assess and articulate capabilities and limitations of UAS platforms and their real-world employment.
- Leverage baseline knowledge of ML/CV/AI and its applications across optical, radar, and electronic warfare systems.
What You’ll Need:
- 3+ years of relevant military, defense, or mission operations experience.
- Strong understanding of UAS systems, employment methods, and operational considerations.
- Familiarity with defense acquisition and funding processes.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Baseline knowledge of ML, computer vision, and AI applications in defense contexts.
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical or defense-focused field (advanced degree a plus).
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally to support mission events.
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.
Why work at Allen Control Systems
- Mission: Directly contribute to protecting soldiers and changing the economics of drone warfare.
- Culture: Described as a remote-friendly organization with a strong engineering focus; HQ in Austin with a satellite office in Alexandria.
- Work Model: Remote core, but many roles require on-site presence in Austin for manufacturing and testing.
- Growth: Hyper-growth stage – employees have significant ownership and impact.
- Tech Stack: State-of-the-art tools: PyTorch, CUDA, Unreal Engine, ROS, Linux, Docker, Git, MLflow, and more.
- Team: High density of talent from SpaceX, Firefly, DoorDash, Lockheed Martin, and Carnegie Mellon.
- Perks: Not publicly detailed; typical for defense startups include competitive compensation, equity, and a chance to work on cutting-edge hardware-software integration.