2026 Early Career Flight Test Engineer, Mission Autonomy

Slope; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries in the United States is seeking a Flight Test Engineer focused on software interface and diagnostics to join the Test and Evaluation team. You will lead end-to-end test activities, design plans, analyze data, and collaborate with software, hardware, and product teams to ensure mission autonomy capabilities meet requirements.

You will engage with government partners, coordinate test events, and contribute to system performance validation while supporting fast-paced innovation

Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

The Test and Evaluation team at Anduril plays a crucial role in our mission, ensuring that every product meets the highest standards of performance and reliability. Our team conducts full system level development testing, new production acceptance testing, software qualification testing and much more. This position is looking for a highly motivated Flight Test Engineer with emphasis in software interface and diagnostics. If you are interested in an extremely innovative and fast paced environment, where your work directly makes an impact and difference in the products that are fielded, this is an excellent opportunity for you.

What you’ll do

• Work on T&E test programs from start to finish and support existing test programs
• Coordinate, plan, and execute test events for mission autonomy capabilities utilizing surrogate vehicles
• Design and implement test plans that challenge and verify the capabilities of autonomous systems in a variety of simulated mission profiles.
• Analyze data from tests to validate system performance and identify areas for improvement
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, hardware engineers, and product managers, to define test requirements and ensure alignment with system capabilities and mission objectives.
• Drive end-to-end test management by shaping program requirements, designing comprehensive test plans, leading execution efforts, analyzing complex data, and delivering clear, concise reports to cross-functional and program teams.
• Coordinate with private and government partners to test and evaluate systems and software and ensure test objectives are met
• Communicate effectively with government leaders, cross-functional teams, and internal company leadership

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, robotics, or a related technical field from an accredited institution, or equivalent experience in autonomous systems testing.
• Demonstrated ability in developing and executing test plans for complex systems within aggressive timelines.
• Proven experience coordinating and executing complex test events
• Experience developing metrics and performance dashboards
• Proven track record of working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to achieve project milestones and deliverables.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of effectively articulating technical challenges and solutions to a diverse audience.
• Ability to engage and communicate with military and government customers
• Willingness to work flexible hours and travel to various testing locations as required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience in the development, testing, and deployment of autonomy systems in a defense or aerospace context.
• Familiarity with FAA, FCC, and other relevant regulations
• Hands-on experience with simulation environments and tools used for testing autonomous systems.
• Familiarity with software development practices and experience with programming languages used in autonomy and robotics (e.g., Python, C++, ROS).
• Knowledge of current industry and military standards related to unmanned aerial systems and their operation within national airspace.

US Salary Range

$86,000 — $114,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

Benefits

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.