While Max wasn't really needed for the actual design of most of the new Mecha components, that didn't mean that he had nothing to do. Instead, he was focusing on trying to understand the nature of the instability that was plaguing that region of space.
It wasn't normal for so many different forms of technology to not work properly, and Max was certain that there was a reason for it. The reason might be damage from the ancient war, but if he could identify it, he could more accurately guess what forms of technology would become an issue in the future.
Once they knew that, then they would be a step ahead in the generation of the next set of designs, but right now, the damages seemed to be random. Perhaps it was a result of different factions fighting and targeting each others' strengths, but the thoughts of the Darklings and Arisen had suggested that was not the case.