Air Vehicle Lead, Air Maneuver Dominance

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 191,000 - 254,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Comprehensive benefits

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa seeks a Lead Air Vehicle Engineer to lead the convergence of technical efforts in developing an advanced airborne platform, focusing on air vehicle development and mission autonomy for defense capabilities.

You will work on core rotorcraft and complex systems, require high ownership, collaborate across disciplines, and have growth and leadership opportunities in a lean, fast-paced team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Physics, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years in technical leadership roles (e.g., Technical Program Manager, Chief Engineer, Lead Engineer).
• Experience leading aerospace/defense programs and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead convergence of technical efforts for an advanced airborne platform.
• Perform design reviews and interface with vendors; define hardware test plans.
• Build prototypes, analyze failures, and transition projects to production.
• Collaborate across aerodynamics, flight dynamics, GNC, aeroelastic, loads and dynamics.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Autonomous systems

Aerospace knowledge

System integration

Communication

VTOL design

Education

Bachelors in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

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.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Maneuver Dominance team at Anduril develops operationally relevant, multi-asset autonomy. We are focused on new air vehicle development programs, and making large groups of autonomous systems work effectively together.

Within the Maneuver Dominance team, we are growing an early-stage, undisclosed autonomous air vehicle (AAV) program at our Costa Mesa HQ. This team is chartered with re-inventing an existing platform through heavy modification and integration of advanced autonomy, mission systems, and payloads.

On this team, you will be tackling novel challenges across airframe, structures, avionics, and software from day one. As part of this program, you'll work alongside a tight-knit group of mechanical, structural, electrical, and software engineers, together with Program Leads and the Chief Engineer, all embedded in a single team driving toward major milestones.

You will work in a lean, high-ownership culture where the entire vehicle team sits side-by-side, iterating quickly and making decisions in real time. Given the early stage of the program, you will have influence over foundational architecture decisions and the opportunity to redefine an existing platform.

ABOUT THE JOB

Anduril is seeking a Lead Air Vehicle Engineer to join the Maneuver Dominance team at our Costa Mesa HQ to lead the convergence of technical efforts in developing an advanced airborne platform. This individual will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of vertical flight focusing on air vehicle development and integrating mission autonomy to meet the evolving demands of defense capabilities.

Here you will work on core product development for unmanned rotorcraft and complex systems, including but not limited to aircraft configuration, composites, mechanisms, and structures. The role requires high ownership and frequent collaboration with other core disciplines. The ideal candidate would be practical, hands-on, and a self starter. High growth potential is possible as well as additional leadership opportunities.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Execute rapid evaluation of engineering concepts across a wide range of aerospace disciplines
• Perform trade studies and physics-based analysis of blue-sky engineering problems
• Advanced design, configuration, implementation of a highly complex advanced air vehicle
• Operate with extreme visibility and exercise a vast level of professional autonomy
• Lead design reviews, run analysis, interface with vendors, define and execute hardware test plans
• Build prototypes, analyze failures, and transition successful projects into production
• Support critical software and hardware demonstrations with customers as needed
• Use first principles physics as a basis for every decision
• Ability to provide input across a variety of technical domains not limited to: aerodynamics, flight dynamics, GNC, aeroelastic, loads and dynamics

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Physics , or related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years in technical leadership roles such as Technical Program Manager, Chief Engineer, Lead Engineer, or similarly relevant position.
• Leadership experience in engineering team management and project execution for aerospace or defense sectors.
• Deep experience developing VTOL platforms.
• Broad exposure to aircraft concepts, design layouts, static stability, control architectures and propulsion concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative environment that drives innovation and project success.
• Strong project management skills, with experience using tools like JIRA and Confluence, and knowledge of Agile and Waterfall methodologies.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management abilities, capable of engaging effectively with both technical teams and non-technical partners.
• Knowledge of aircraft design principles, including familiarity with vertical lift, as well as aircraft build and integration, and flight test execution/oversight.
• Hands-on experience with the development and deployment of autonomous systems, particularly in rotorcraft or large UAS.
• Eligible to obtain a U.S. Secret security clearance
• Ability to travel up to 50% depending on the product lifecycle

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Direct experience with autonomous systems, specifically with the development and integration of rotorcraft or larger UAS.
• Deep familiarity with unmanned aircraft, autonomous systems, robotics, aircraft design.
• Knowledgeable in the nuanced integration of complex systems, such as launched effects, into aerial platforms, ensuring system compatibility and performance.
• An extensive network within the aerospace industry, enabling effective collaboration and leveraging partnerships for product development.
• Familiarity with Defense Acquisition Processes and a clear understanding of key review stages and compliance requirements.
• Relevant professional certifications that underscore a commitment to continuous learning and application of industry best practices.
• Customer-facing experience with a proven ability to lead high-profile programs and navigate complex client relationships with confidence and authority.

US Salary Range

$191,000—$254,000 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.

Data Privacy

To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.

By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third‑party service provider to conduct pre‑employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third‑party service provider provides risk‑intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public‑record information, and other lawful open‑source or commercial data sources. This third‑party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.