
Technical 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
Serve as an on-site subject matter expert for ACS products, troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and software systems during domestic and international events. Collaborate with the engineering team to resolve issues, ensure system reliability, and provide technical support to program managers and operators.
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 Technical Operations Engineer, you will serve as an on-site subject matter expert for ACS products, supporting both domestic and international events. You’ll bring a strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, and software systems that govern our robots, and will be directly embedded with the engineering team for troubleshooting and problem-solving. This role requires a hands-on, resourceful engineer who can diagnose and resolve issues in the field, ensuring reliable system performance in diverse operational environments. What You’ll Do:
- Act as an on-site product SME for ACS systems during CONUS and OCONUS events.
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues across mechanical, electrical, and software systems with minimal support.
- Collaborate closely with the engineering team to identify, isolate, and solve problems.
- Apply practical knowledge of networking layers for both hardline and mesh networks.
- Utilize mechanical aptitude to address hardware and system-level challenges.
- Perform basic Linux-based tasks, including log access, configuration updates, and system modifications via CLI.
- Ensure mission readiness of ACS systems and provide direct technical support to program managers and operators.
What You’ll Need:
- 3+ years of experience in technical operations, field engineering, or robotics/mechatronics.
- Strong troubleshooting skills across mechanical, electrical, and software domains.
- Working knowledge of networking concepts for both wired and mesh network environments.
- Hands-on mechanical aptitude (hobby mechanic, robotics, construction, or similar practical experience).
- Basic Linux proficiency, including CLI navigation, log analysis, and configuration updates.
- Ability to work independently in challenging environments with minimal support.
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, robotics, or related technical field (or equivalent practical experience).
- 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.