Controls Engineer, Manufacturing Automation

Anduril; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

Generous time off

Professional Development reimbursement

Relocation Assistance

Job summary

A defense technology company is looking for a Controls Engineer in Costa Mesa, California. This role involves designing and managing control systems for manufacturing with a focus on automation and efficiency. Candidates should have at least 2 years of experience in a production environment, strong PLC programming skills, and relevant qualifications in engineering. The salary range is competitive between $129,000 and $171,000 USD, alongside top-tier benefits such as comprehensive healthcare and professional development support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• 2+ years of experience in controls and automation in a production environment.
• Strong in PLC programming on Rockwell or Siemens platforms.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and manage controls systems for manufacturing.
• Architect, write, and debug PLC code for high-volume manufacturing.
• Lead root cause analysis for automation failures.

Skills

PLC programming

Robotics

Automation in production

Ethernet communication protocols

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Tools

Rockwell

Siemens

Ignition SCADA

Job description

Overview

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

Anduril’s Manufacturing Automation team is seeking a Controls Engineer to join our team. The Manufacturing Automation team is responsible for the design, integration, and deployment of automated manufacturing systems across Anduril factories. As a member of this team, you will have the opportunity to help define what production automation looks like for Anduril at a national scale.

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop, and manage controls systems for manufacturing – this includes initial factory ideation, machine commissioning, proof of rate capability, and eventual hand-off to sustainment teams
• Architect, write, and debug PLC code with an emphasis on generating code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable for high-volume manufacturing applications
• Generate and enforce internal standards for control systems architectures, regulatory compliance, and safety buyoffs
• Integrate internal and external FactoryOS software into automation equipment and production lines
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for automation failures, ensuring rapid resolution and long-term reliability
• Install, configure, and tune servo drives / VFDs
• Partner with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot equipment issues, reduce downtime, and drive continuous improvement initiatives

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering
• 2+ years of experience in controls and automation in a production environment
• Strong in PLC programming on either Rockwell or Siemens platforms
• Proficient knowledge of ethernet based communication protocols
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities

Preferred Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in controls and automation in a production environment
• Experience with control panel layout, electrical component selection, and cable routing
• Proficient in Ignition SCADA development
• Experience integrating with MES and QMS
• Proficient in servo drive and VFD configuration, PID tuning, STO/SS, etc
• Familiar with CAD packages including Solidworks, NX, CATIA, and AutoCAD

Salary Range

$129,000 — $171,000 USD

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 (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:

Healthcare Benefits

• US Roles: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you.
• UK & AUS Roles: We cover 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.

To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/