Labor & Employment Attorney (Defense Technology)

Location: Huntington Beach, California, United States. The role supports on-site and hourly manufacturing operations and requires U.S. work authorization under ITAR requirements.

Salary: $190,000–$240,000 USD per year, plus performance-based incentives and equity participation.

Company

Mach Industries is a rapidly growing defense technology startup founded in 2023 that develops autonomous defense platforms and scalable decentralized defense systems.

What you will do

• Advise on hiring, onboarding, performance management, discipline, terminations, workforce changes, and other employment matters.
• Counsel People and operating leaders on wage and hour compliance, employee classification, working time, meal and rest periods, compensation practices, accommodations, leaves, disability, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and workplace conduct.
• Conduct or oversee workplace investigations and recommend corrective action.
• Draft and maintain employment agreements, offer letters, separation agreements, policies, handbooks, and related documentation.
• Support manufacturing operations with scheduling, overtime, staffing models, temporary labor, workforce expansion, safety matters, and manager training.
• Advise on labor relations, organizing activity, collective bargaining obligations, the National Labor Relations Act, employment claims, agency matters, and litigation with outside counsel.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar, with eligibility to practice in-house in California.
• 5+ years of relevant labor and employment law experience at a law firm, in-house legal department, or a combination of both.
• Substantial experience advising on California employment law.
• Experience counseling employers on sensitive personnel matters and conducting or overseeing workplace investigations.
• Strong working knowledge of federal employment law and experience supporting employers across multiple states.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and the ability to provide clear, actionable advice.
• Ability to build trust with employees, managers, and senior leadership while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
• Availability to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
• For ITAR compliance, applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, or be eligible to obtain the required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice to have

• Experience supporting manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or other businesses with substantial on-site and hourly workforces.
• Experience with labor relations, union organizing matters, and collective bargaining.
• Experience managing employment litigation, agency investigations, and wage and hour disputes.
• Familiarity with workplace safety requirements and federal contractor employment obligations.
• Experience supporting rapid hiring, new facility openings, and expansion into additional states.

Culture & Benefits

• Startup agility with a focus on rapid innovation, manufacturing, national security, and defense technology.
• Healthcare, dental, and vision plans, retirement savings, and paid time off.
• Performance-based incentives and stock options or equity participation.
• Funding for continuing education, training, and professional development.
• Transparent compensation tiers and decision-making practices.