Chief Engineer, Space Systems & On-Orbit Ops

AI Chopping Block; Costa Mesa, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 253,000 - 336,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Benefits package

Job summary

Anduril is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead our Space Missions engineering effort in Costa Mesa, CA. You will serve as the technical lead for high-impact spacecraft missions, guiding design, build, test, and delivery for on-orbit operations across hardware and software domains.

You will shape technical strategy, drive architecture and verification plans, and partner with space mission leaders to deliver capabilities for government and commercial customers.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated track record architecting, developing, and delivering defense/IC satellite systems.
• Deep domain expertise in Space Domain Awareness (SDA), Space Control, Rendezvous & Proximity Operations (RPO), and dynamic space operations.
• Experience with standard space qualification and acceptance testing methodologies (e.g., MIL-STD-1540).
• Strong technical fundamentals across space vehicle bus subsystems, payload interfaces, space ground infrastructure, and rapid product development.
• Proven leadership experience on US Government/DoD/IC space contracts.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and system-level expertise across spacecraft bus subsystems, specialized payload suites, and ground segments.
• Serve as the technical authority on the program and maintain the technical integrity of the program, coordinating with the Program Manager.
• Lead technical execution and architecture development for key mission areas, including Space Control and dynamic RPO missions.
• Drive the engineering lifecycle for space vehicles and mission payloads from early architecture trades through flight hardware delivery and on-orbit commissioning.
• Leverage strategic partnerships and teammates to build out new products that satisfy customer requirements in contested environments.
• Provide space industry expertise to refine and advance the Anduril Space portfolio and strategy for customer engagements and demonstrations.
• Contribute engineering inputs and execution plans to high-priority proposals.
• Provide technical mentorship and oversight to a multi-disciplinary engineering team through all phases of program execution up to on-orbit operations.
• Perform mission- and system-level trade studies and analysis to balance risk, cost, schedule, and mission performance.

Skills

Space architecture

RPO

Multi-disciplinary leadership

Technical communication

Program execution

Job description

Anduril is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead our Space Missions engineering effort in Costa Mesa, CA. You will serve as the technical lead for high-impact spacecraft missions, guiding design, build, test, and delivery for on-orbit operations across hardware and software domains.

You will shape technical strategy, drive architecture and verification plans, and partner with space mission leaders to deliver capabilities for government and commercial customers.