Chief Engineer, Advanced Effects (Hypersonics)

Anduril; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 191,000 - 336,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Anduril Industries in California, a defense tech leader, seeks a Chief Engineer for AD&S to lead missile and high-speed program execution, guiding cross-disciplinary teams from concept through delivery to customers. You will own technical vision, manage risks, and coordinate external partnerships to ensure warfighter readiness.

The role requires senior program leadership, deep domain expertise in missiles or robotics, and the ability to operate across tight constraints while coordinating with

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of Missile Development or Robotics/consumer electronics.
• Experience in a senior role leading programs from initial concept through test and delivery to customers.
• Experience driving strategic direction in competitive landscapes, solving complex system optimization challenges under tight constraints.
• Proven ability to deliver functional capabilities while aligning technical objectives with programmatic outcomes.
• Demonstrated collaboration and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical and programmatic execution of new and existing missile designs, fabrication, test, productization and sustainment.
• Own the technical and programmatic success of your programs, establish technical and programmatic vision assemble teams of internal and external subject matter experts, and communicate that vision to them.
• Set up trades to enable the exploration of early conceptual designs while working closely with technical SME’s and Business Development teams to find the right solution to current and future gaps in the DOD capability to ensure the warfighter has the best solution for current and future conflicts.
• Manage the detailed design of the system and subsystems including requirements development, sub-system trades and optimization, risk management etc. to ensure the appropriate consideration of design key performance parameters, schedule, costs and risks.
• Coordinate the fabrication of prototype and low-rate production articles and subsystem/system level test efforts.
• Support remotely deployed operations of your systems.
• Work with senior leadership to ensure resource plans are adequate for work scope.

Skills

Missile Development

Robotics

System Optimization

Program Leadership

DOD Systems

Education

Bachelor in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical/Software

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 Air Dominance and Strike (AD&S) Chief Engineering Team is a driving force behind the technical execution and strategic vision of our most critical programs. They are responsible for architecting a vision for product development and guiding multi-disciplinary teams to deliver effectively. They are expected to own the mission and to be deeply involved in building the eco-system that enables execution. We are hiring for Chief Engineers across our high-speed and hypersonic programs.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead technical and programmatic execution of new and existing missile designs, fabrication, test, productization and sustainment.
• Own the technical and programmatic success of your programs, establish technical and programmatic vision assemble teams of internal and external subject matter experts, and communicate that vision to them.
• Set up trades to enable the exploration of early conceptual designs while working closely with technical SME’s and Business Development teams to find the right solution to current and future gaps in the DOD capability to ensure the warfighter has the best solution for current and future conflicts.
• Manage the detailed design of the system and subsystems including requirements development, sub-system trades and optimization, risk management etc. to ensure the appropriate consideration of design key performance parameters, schedule, costs and risks.
• Coordinate the fabrication of prototype and low-rate production articles and subsystem/system level test efforts.
• Support remotely deployed operations of your systems.
• Work with senior leadership to ensure resource plans are adequate for work scope.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Deep understanding of Missile Development or Robotics/consumer electronics
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical or Software engineering, or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Experience in a senior role leading programs from initial concept through test and delivery to customers
• Experience driving strategic direction in competitive landscapes, solving complex system optimization challenges under tight constraints.
• Proven ability to deliver functional capabilities while aligning technical objectives with programmatic outcomes.
• Demonstrated collaboration and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders
• Strong understanding of the “why” behind Vehicle and Systems design.
• Experience working on mission critical DOD systems
• Experience troubleshooting and analyzing remotely deployed systems.
• Travel up to 25% to Customer and Test Sites
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

US Salary Range

$191,000—$336,000 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.