2027 Flight Test Engineer Intern

Anduril; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries invites students to join the Test and Evaluation team for a 12-week in-person internship in Summer 2027. You will participate in developmental testing across hardware and software, focusing on subsystem, ground, and flight tests at private and government ranges.

You’ll collaborate with software and hardware teams to analyze results and drive improvements. Ideal candidates are pursuing EE/Sys/AE degrees, have Linux know-how, familiarity with COTS UAS autopilots, ArduPilot, PX4,

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Electrical, Systems, or Aerospace Engineering.
• Must return to school after internship for at least one quarter/semester.
• U.S. Person for access to export-controlled information; U.S. clearance may be required.

Responsibilities

• Participate in developmental testing in a fast-paced test environment.
• Plan and execute T&E of hardware and software with emphasis on testing, investigation, and process development.
• Track test issues and coordinate with cross-functional teams for issue resolution.
• Analyze test results with engineering teams and suggest improvements.
• Collaborate with software, hardware, and product teams during testing.
• Conduct subsystem, ground, and flight testing at private and government ranges.
• Maintain safety and rigorous evaluation of all test efforts.

Skills

Linux

Troubleshooting electronics

COTS Small UAS autopilot

ArduPilot and PX4

Flight testing knowledge

CAD modeling

PCB design

FAA Part 107

Test planning and execution

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Pixhawk flight controllers

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.

The Test and Evaluation team at Anduril works across the entire spectrum of products and business lines, as well as all flight operations and test range management. Our team conducts full system level development testing, new production acceptance testing, sub-component qualification testing and much more. This varies from Road Runner flight testing, Anvil checkouts, tower calibration, surrogate integrations and much more. In short, if it involves test, we support it. If you are interested in working 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 a fantastic opportunity. Come join the team and get hands on relevant real-world experience come join the T&E team.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Participate in developmental testing in a fast-paced test environment.
• Contribute to planning and execution of T&E of hardware and software with emphasis placed on planning, conducting subsystem, simulation, ground, and flight test, initial issue investigation, and process improvement/development.
• Track the status of test issues and observations and work cross-functionally to establish priorities for issue resolution.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to analyze test results, identify performance trends, and recommend enhancements or corrective actions.
• Work with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, hardware engineers, and product managers.
• Conduct subsystem, ground, and flight testing at private and government-owned test ranges.
• Work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
• Ensure the safe operation and rigorous evaluation of all test efforts.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• Must be returning to school at the end of the internship to continue academic studies for at least one quarter or semester.
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities; U.S. clearance eligibility may be required depending on program.
• Ability to complete a 12-week in-person internship in one of our offices in summer 2027.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience with Linux based systems and command line.
• Ability to troubleshoot/repair electronics
• Working Knowledge with COTs Small UAS autopilot and mission planning software.
• Prior experience with Pixhawk flight controllers running Ardupilot and PX4 for air vehicles, including setup, operation, and tuning.
• Experience working with manned aircraft personnel and familiar with aviation terminology.
• Familiarity with rapid prototyping, 3D printing, laser cutting, and working with composite materials.
• Experience with CAD modeling and PCB design.
• FAA Part 107 certification.
• Direct experience in the development, testing, and deployment of mission autonomy systems in a defense or aerospace context.
• Hands-on experience with simulation environments and tools used for testing autonomous systems.
• Ability to understand new concepts quickly; apply them accurately; organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases; and determine the appropriate approach at the task level or, with assistance, at the project level to provide solutions to a range of complex problems.
• Working understanding of engineering concepts, principles, codes, and theory; experience demonstrating a broad application of those concepts; and, expanding knowledge of principles, concepts, theory, and practices in related technical specialties.
• Experience and working knowledge of the National Airspace System and UAS operating rules and regulations thereof.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing test plans
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment.
• Strong computer and documentation experience.
• Strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; able to perform complex tasks in one or more engineering areas.
• Ability to travel as required for test planning and execution
• Able to work extended hours as required
• Bias for action – if you see a problem, you want to solve and fix it

US Hourly Range

$32 - $40 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:

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 .

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Anduril Industries’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.