Deputy Chief Engineer, Tactical Effects

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 166,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA, is seeking a senior systems engineer to design and integrate avionics and unmanned aerial vehicle systems. You will conceive architectures, prototype concepts, and guide cross-disciplinary teams through UAV development, testing, and deployment in a defense context.

The role requires deep systems thinking, hands-on prototyping, and willingness to travel; U.S. Top Secret clearance is required.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of industry experience in system architecture.
• Experience across systems engineering, mechanical, electrical, software and control theory.
• Proven track record from design to functioning hardware.
• Hands-on build and prototyping of robotic/aircraft systems.
• Willingness to travel for testing.

Responsibilities

• Architect upgrade and enhancement plans for UAVs.
• Prototype sizing and performance estimates for small drones.
• Draft system interfaces for new UAV products.
• Lead cross-disciplinary engineering teams through UAV design.
• Develop test plans and support vehicle acceptance testing.
• Analyze vehicle data to identify performance trends.
• Support build and bench testing of new systems.
• Conduct hands-on UAV testing with travel.

Skills

Systems architecture

Systems engineering

Electrical engineering

Mechanical engineering

Software development

Control theory

Prototyping

Test planning

Communication

Travel readiness

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 experience
• Experience in design engineering
• Experience in software engineering
• Understanding of aerodynamics, avionics, and flight systems

US Salary Range: $166,000 — $220,000 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.