Chief Engineer, Advanced Air Platforms (Fury)

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 254,000 - 336,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

Generous PTO plans

Professional development reimbursement

Job summary

A defense technology company in Costa Mesa is seeking a leader for their multidisciplinary team specializing in unmanned aircraft design. The role requires expertise in managing air vehicle programs from inception to production, driving strategic decisions amidst challenges. Candidates should hold a relevant engineering degree and demonstrate strong project management and collaboration skills. This position also offers a competitive salary range of $254,000 to $336,000, along with exceptional healthcare benefits and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of unmanned aircraft at and above Group 3 class.
• Experience in a senior role leading air vehicle programs from concept to delivery.
• Proven ability to deliver functional capabilities aligned with programmatic outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical execution of air vehicle and mission systems design.
• Manage detailed design, requirements, and risk management.
• Work with engineering teams to ensure compliance to airworthiness.

Skills

Understanding of unmanned aircraft

Project management

Collaboration with stakeholders

Problem-solving under constraints

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical or Software engineering

Tools

Design software

Testing equipment

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 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 be deeply involved in building the eco‑system that enables execution.

About The Role

You’ll lead a multidisciplinary team of aircraft design engineers spanning configuration, aerodynamicists, structural design, loads and analysis, GNC, mechanical subsystems, avionics and power systems, software and mission systems. This will be on a platform with design and test heritage as it transitions into a mature production and operationally employed system, supporting new and ongoing development efforts. This will require you to leverage technical expertise, first principles thinking and leadership skills to set objectives, challenge and direct the team, and drive to completion. Prior Experience in programmatic level decisions will play a key component in ensuring the right balance of design, analysis and test is completed to keep design rigor balanced against non‑value‑added processes and alignment with program objectives. The ideal candidate will leverage their experience executing and successfully completing multi‑disciplinary projects where schedule and cost are driving factors in design.

What You’ll Do

• Lead technical and programmatic execution of air vehicle and mission systems design, fabrication, test, productization.
• Set up trades to enable the exploration of early conceptual designs while working closely with technical SMEs and Business Development teams to find the right solution to current and future gaps in the capability to ensure the warfighter has the best solution for current and future conflicts.
• Manage the detailed design of the system and subsystems including managing requirements, subsystem trades, optimization, risk management, etc., to ensure the appropriate consideration of design key performance parameters, schedule, costs and risks.
• Work with the engineering team to support compliance with airworthiness.
• 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 the work scope.

Required Qualifications

• Deep understanding of unmanned aircraft at and above Group 3 class.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical or Software engineering, or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Experience in a senior role leading air vehicle 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.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Aviation passion demonstrated through FAA pilot license, Airframe and Powerplant license, experimental aircraft/homebuilding, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to take designs from concept to flight.
• Unmanned aircraft development experience.
• Strong hands‑on technical skills, both professional and hobby.

US Salary Range

$254,000—$336,000 USD

Healthcare 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 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:

• US Roles: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you.
• UK & AUS Roles: We cover the full cost of medical insurance premiums for you and your dependents.
• IE Roles: We offer an annual contribution toward your private health insurance for you and your dependents.

Additional Benefits

• Income Protection: Anduril covers life and disability insurance for all employees.
• Generous time off: Highly competitive PTO plans with a holiday hiatus in December. Caregiver & Wellness Leave is available to care for family members, bond with a new baby, or address your own medical needs.
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Coverage for fertility treatments (e.g., IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carriers, along with resources to support you and your partner from planning to parenting.
• Mental Health Resources: Access free mental health resources 24/7, including therapy and life coaching. Additional work‑life services such as legal and financial support are also available.
• Professional Development: Annual reimbursement for professional development.
• Commuter Benefits: Company‑funded commuter benefits based on your region.
• Relocation Assistance: Available depending on role eligibility.

Retirement Savings Plan

• US Roles: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after‑tax (mega backdoor Roth) options.
• UK & IE Roles: Pension plan with employer match.
• AUS Roles: Superannuation plan.

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

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