Headset Development Engineer

You in this Role. You’re an engineer who thrives at the intersection of product development and manufacturing. You bring deep experience in consumer electronics, wearables, or optomechanical systems, and you’re excited by the challenge of building something from the ground up. You enjoy rolling up your sleeves, whether that means manipulating CAD drawings, setting up measurement systems, or coordinating with vendors to get a factory online. Most importantly, you’re driven by precision, quality, and the pursuit of building world-class headsets right here in the U.S.

What You’ll Do

• Factory Build & Launch – Design, organize, and implement an assembly line for headset manufacturing, from initial layout to fully functional production.
• Production Support – Coordinate daily build objectives (e.g., “we need 10 headsets today”), ensuring materials, inventory, and resources are in place.
• Engineering Development – Support next-generation headset development by working with optics systems, integrating mechanical and electronic components, and maintaining CAD models.
• Quality Control – Establish and enforce incoming inspection (IQC) and outgoing quality control (OQC) processes, ensuring yields >80% in early ramp and >99% at scale.
• System Verification & Testing – Implement and run metrology systems to measure and verify optics, voltages, and other critical specifications.
• Process Optimization – Collect and analyze production data, improve yields, and streamline process flow within the new factory.
• Vendor & Partner Coordination – Collaborate with contractors, landlords, and suppliers to establish and mature a U.S.-based supply chain.
• Continuous Improvement – Drive solutions in a fast-moving environment, adapt to shifting priorities, and support ERP/MES system transitions.

What You’ll Bring

• Must-Have Skills
• Experience with consumer electronics, wearables, or optomechanical systems
• CAD proficiency (design and adaptation)
• Hands-on experience with optics integration, testing, and system verification
• Strong quality control background (incoming, outgoing, and in-process checks)
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, start-up environment with minimal supervision
• Nice-to-Haves
• Experience with ERP/MES systems and WIP management
• Familiarity with sterilization, cleanroom, or controlled manufacturing environments
• Prior exposure to supply chain development in electronics or optics industries
• Knowledge of U.S.-based manufacturing standards and compliance requirements

What You’ll Gain

• The chance to build a U.S.-based headset factory from scratch, laying the foundation for FatShark production in America.
• A front-row seat in a high-growth, entrepreneurial environment where your work directly impacts production goals and product innovation.
• Hands-on experience in both manufacturing and product development rarely offered in one role.
• Opportunities to expand into leadership as the Headset Lab scales.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Benefits package (medical, dental, vision)
• 401(k)
• Paid time off, holidays, and employee discounts on products
• Stock option eligibility

The People At Unusual Machines, you’ll be joining a growing, close-knit team that’s passionate about drones, headsets, and the future of FPV technology. We’re building new labs, new factories, and new capabilities, all from the ground up. You’ll collaborate directly with engineers, operations, and leadership in an environment where ideas move quickly from concept to production. If you enjoy working alongside people who are builders at heart and excited about solving challenges together, you’ll feel right at home here.

ONE MORE THING This is not a maintenance role; it’s a builder’s role. You’ll be instrumental in transforming a blank-slate space into a fully functional, high-yield headset factory, while also shaping the next generation of headset technology. If you want to leave your fingerprints on something big, this is your opportunity.

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.