Chief Engineer

Anduril; Goleta (CA); On-site; USD 191,000 - 253,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Imaging seeks a Chief Engineer to act as the technical authority, leading an engineering team through the full product lifecycle. You will coordinate with TPMs, secure resources across hardware and software groups, and provide hands‑on leadership to ensure on‑time, on‑budget delivery.

The role demands multi‑domain expertise, strong communication, and prior success in defense or aerospace programs. You will guide product development from concept to production and support MRR readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
• 10+ years of progressive engineering experience with senior technical leadership roles.
• Experience serving as a technical authority on defense, aerospace, or similar complex programs.
• Track record of delivering programs on cost and schedule in partnership with program management.
• Breadth across hardware, software, mechanical and/or electrical domains with informed trade‑offs.
• Familiarity with New Product Introduction (NPI) processes, including EMD and manufacturing readiness.
• Strong communication skills for conveying technical concepts to teams, leadership, and customers.
• Experience in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Technical Authority: Own technical direction for projects, make key design decisions, and ensure system integrity across your portfolio.
• Manage Engineering Execution: Plan and track engineering efforts with TPMs, manage cost, schedule, and performance.
• Oversee Product Development: Guide products from concept through development, test, and production; coordinate MRRS.
• Scope Resources Across Functional Groups: Partner with hardware, software, mechanical, electrical teams to allocate resources.
• Support Production and Field Issues: Prioritize and drive engineering solutions for production and fielded‑system issues.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Cross‑functional coordination

Fast‑paced environment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS or related field

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 Anduril Imaging team develops state-of-the-art imaging systems across both hardware and software, deployed to tackle the most significant security challenges of America and its allies. The team is heavily involved in utilizing computer vision, perception, electro-optical, infrared, and sensor data to give our war fighters and allies an advantage.

ABOUT THE JOB

As a Chief Engineer at Anduril Imaging, you will serve as the technical authority on projects, programs, and tasks, managing an engineering team through the full product development lifecycle. You will work closely with Technical Program Managers (TPMs) to ensure on-time and on-budget execution, coordinate with functional engineering groups to scope and secure the right resources, and provide hands‑on technical leadership to your direct engineering and support staff.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Serve as Technical Authority: Own the technical direction for assigned projects, programs, and tasks — making key design decisions, resolving technical issues, and ensuring system integrity across your portfolio.
• Manage Engineering Execution: Work hand‑in‑hand with TPMs to plan and track engineering efforts, managing cost, schedule, and performance. Lead your direct engineering and support staff to deliver against program milestones.
• Oversee Product Development: Guide products from concept through development, test, and into full production. Coordinate EMD activities with quality and production teams and ensure engineering readiness for Manufacturing Readiness Review (MRR).
• Scope Resources Across Functional Groups: Partner with functional engineering organizations (hardware, software, mechanical, electrical, etc.) to identify resource needs, negotiate allocations, and ensure the right expertise is applied to each effort.
• Support Production and Field Issues: Prioritize and drive engineering solutions for production and fielded‑system issues, ensuring timely resolution and continuous product improvement.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of progressive engineering experience, including senior technical leadership roles overseeing multidisciplinary teams and complex system development.
• Experience serving as a technical authority or lead engineer on defense, aerospace, or similarly complex programs.
• Track record of managing engineering teams and delivering programs on cost and schedule in partnership with program management.
• Breadth across multiple engineering domains (e.g., hardware, software, mechanical, and/or electrical) and the ability to make informed trade‑offs across disciplines.
• Familiarity with New Product Introduction (NPI) processes, including EMD and manufacturing readiness.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts clearly to engineering teams, program leadership, and customers.
• Experience working within a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in a relevant engineering or technical field.
• Experience in the defense or aerospace industry.
• Experience coordinating with TPMs and functional engineering organizations to scope and allocate resources across multiple concurrent efforts.

US Salary Range

$191,000 - $253,000 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:

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 .