Automation Engineer, General

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Top-tier benefits

Job summary

Anduril Industries, a defense technology innovator in Costa Mesa, is seeking Automation Engineers across experience levels to design, program, commission, and scale greenfield automated workcells and robotics across its manufacturing footprint.

You will develop full-lifecycle automation solutions, integrate PLC/HMI/SCADA platforms, and coordinate with cross-functional teams to meet stringent safety and performance standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Experience programming and commissioning PLCs, HMIs, and motion control systems (Beckhoff, Siemens, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley).
• Hands-on experience with industrial or collaborative robots (Fanuc, Kuka, ABB, UR, Staubli) and robot path planning.
• Proficiency in Python, C++, C#, or ROS/ROS 2, plus CAD/modeling tools (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, EPLAN).
• Understanding of fieldbuses, sensor systems, motor sizing, VFDs, and machinery safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, simulate, and deploy full-lifecycle automated assembly, testing, and material-handling workcells from concept through high-volume production.
• Develop, debug, and optimize PLC, HMI, and SCADA code across Betckhoff/Siemens/Rockwell platforms with IEC 61131-3 languages.
• Program, calibrate, and simulate multi-axis industrial and collaborative robots with advanced trajectory planning and sensor integration.
• Design electrical schematics, panel layouts, and safety circuits using CAD tools while ensuring NEC, NFPA 70E, and UL508A compliance.
• Interface production equipment with MES and telemetry databases using Python, C++, and C#.
• Collaborate with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, and Test Engineering to implement DFA and streamline NPI.

Skills

Controls & Automation

Robotics & Motion

Software & Tooling

Electrical & Safety

Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor’s or higher in relevant field

Tools

Beckhoff

Siemens

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

EPLAN

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 Job

At Anduril, our Automation Engineers are the builders of modern defense manufacturing, transforming complex hardware designs—including autonomous air, ground, maritime, and sensor systems—into high-rate automated production realities. You will step into a fast-paced environment where you will design, program, commission, and scale greenfield automated workcells, robotics, and advanced controls platforms across our multi-site manufacturing footprint. We are seeking talented Automation Engineers across all experience levels (Associate, Mid, Senior, and Staff) with expertise across industrial robotics, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), electro-mechanical design, and custom software integration.

What You’ll Do

• Design & Architect Automated Systems: Lead and support the design, development, simulation, and deployment of full-lifecycle automated assembly, testing, and material-handling workcells from concept through high-volume production.
• Program & Integrate Controls Platforms: Develop, debug, and optimize robust PLC, HMI, and SCADA code across modern industrial platforms (e.g., Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley) utilizing IEC 61131-3 languages and industrial networking protocols (EtherCAT, Profinet, Ethernet/IP).
• Integrate Industrial Robotics & Motion: Program, calibrate, and simulate multi-axis industrial and collaborative robots (e.g., Fanuc, Kuka, ABB, Universal Robots, Staubli), implementing advanced trajectory planning, sensor integration, vision guidance, and functional safety systems (e.g., DCS, SafeOperation).
• Drive Electro-Mechanical & Safety Standards: Design electrical schematics, panel layouts, and safety circuits using CAD tools (e.g., EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical, SolidWorks), ensuring strict compliance with industry standards such as NEC, NFPA 70E, and UL508A.
• Bridge Software & Hardware Systems: Integrate custom tooling, vision inspection systems, and edge devices using high-level programming languages (Python, C++, C#) to interface production equipment directly with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and telemetry databases.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, and Test Engineering teams to implement Design for Automation (DFA) principles, streamline new product introduction (NPI), and eliminate operational bottlenecks.

Required Qualifications

• Experience & Education: Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience across automated manufacturing environments).
• Core Technical Competencies: Demonstrated practical experience or technical foundation in one or more of the following areas:
  • Controls & Automation: Experience programming and commissioning PLCs, HMIs, and motion control systems (e.g., Beckhoff, Siemens, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley).
  • Robotics & Motion Control: Hands-on exposure to industrial or collaborative robotic platforms (e.g., Fanuc, Kuka, ABB, UR), robot path planning, kinematic modeling, or multi-axis gantry systems.
  • Software & Tooling: Proficiency in software development using Python, C++, C#, or ROS/ROS 2, alongside CAD/modeling tools (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, EPLAN).
  • Electrical & Safety Systems: Understanding of industrial fieldbuses, sensor systems, motor sizing, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and machinery safety protocols.
• Problem-Solving & Agility: Strong hands-on troubleshooting abilities, proactive initiative, and the capability to thrive in rapid-iteration, ambiguous, and hardware-intensive environments.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

This job post is inclusive of openings within various teams. Successful candidates will be matched to a specific team at a subsequent stage of the recruitment process.

The roles considered for this job post may require travel. The extent of travel will vary by role.

US Salary Range

$115,000—$171,000 USD

Benefits

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.

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.