Chief Engineer - Tactical Effects

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 191,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Top-tier benefits

Performance-based rewards

Job summary

Anduril Industries in California seeks a senior Systems Engineer for the Tactical Recon & Strike team to guide architecture and integration of UAV platforms. You will translate concepts into vehicle systems, prototype layouts, and interfaces for new drones while coordinating multiple engineering specialties throughout the lifecycle of UAV design and integration.

You will lead test planning, performance analysis, and predictive maintenance efforts, with travel as needed and the ability to obtain

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of industry experience including system architecture.
• Familiarity with systems engineering, mechanical, electrical engineering, software development, and control theory.
• Experience with conceptual design and vehicle system architecture.
• Hands-on build and prototyping of robotic or aircraft systems.
• Ability to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, organized and detail-oriented.
• Willingness to travel for test planning and execution.
• Commitment to fostering a positive, collaborative culture.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize system architecture for upgrades and enhancements to existing vehicle systems.
• Conceptual designs of small drones including sizing, system performance and initial prototyping.
• Layout system design plans and interfaces for new UAV products and platforms.
• Work within a team of multidisciplinary engineers and specialists throughout UAV design and integration.
• Manage tactical engineering efforts, interfacing between different engineering and test disciplines.
• Draft and develop test plans for critical subsystems, and support vehicle level acceptance testing.
• Develop interface controls for partners and customers for hardware, software, and electrical integration of complex payloads.
• Lead data analysis to identify performance trends and develop predictive failure models.
• Support build and benchtop testing of new vehicle systems.
• Conduct hands-on UAV testing with occasional travel.

Skills

System architecture

Systems engineering

Mechanical engineering

Electrical engineering

Software development

Control theory

Attention to detail

Verbal communication

Written communication

Collaboration

Travel

Security clearance

Tools

Test 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 Tactical Recon & Strike team at Anduril develops aerial small drones (Group 1-3) and all equipment to test, deploy and operate. The team is responsible for taking products like Ghost, Anvil, Bolt and Altius from concepts to operational systems. We work in close coordination with specialist teams to solve some of the hardest problems facing our customers. We are looking for software engineers, hardware engineers, roboticists, and front-end mobile developers who are excited about creating a powerful robotics platform that can be tasked and viewed in real-time through a variety of interfaces.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Conceptualize system architecture for upgrades and enhancements to existing vehicle systems
• Conceptual designs of small drones including sizing, system performance and initial prototyping
• Layout system design plans and interfaces for new UAV products and platforms
• Work within a team of multidisciplinary engineers and specialists throughout the life of UAV design and integration process
• Manage tactical engineering efforts, interfacing between different engineering and test disciplines
• Draft and develop test plans for critical subsystems, and support vehicle level acceptance testing
• Develop interface controls for partners and customers for hardware, software, and electrical integration of complex and unique payloads with existing and new Anduril UAVs
• Achieve maximum uptime by leading vehicle data analysis efforts to identify performance trends and develop predictive failure models
• Support build and benchtop testing of new vehicle systems
• Conduct hands‑on UAV testing with occasional travel

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 7-10 years of industry experience including but not limited to system architecture
• Familiarity with concepts of systems engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software development, and control theory
• Demonstrated experience with conceptual design and vehicle system architecture
• Proven track record of progressing from clean sheet design to functioning hardware
• Hands‑on build and prototyping of complex robotic or aircraft systems
• A passion for systems development, integration, and testing
• Knowledge of electronics troubleshooting and ability to use basic test equipment
• Extremely organized and detail‑oriented
• Excellent verbal & written communication skills
• A sincere commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and collaborative culture
• Ability to travel as required for test planning and execution
• Must be able to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience developing electromechanical system models to inform the design, operation, and troubleshooting of complex subsystems
• Hands‑on manufacturing and/or flight testing experienceExperience in design engineering
• Experience in software engineering
• Understanding of aerodynamics, avionics, and flight systems

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:

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.

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.