Director, Manufacturing Engineering, Intelligence Systems

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive equity grants

Comprehensive benefits package

Support in health and recovery

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a Director of Manufacturing Engineering to drive the development and execution of manufacturing processes across the organization. This strategic role emphasizes the advancement of digital tools and methodologies while ensuring high-quality production consistent with operational commitments.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in manufacturing engineering with a focus on lean principles and a proven ability to scale operations efficiently. Competitive salary and benefits are included.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, with 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of scaling manufacturing operations in dynamic environments.
• Expertise in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and process optimization.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a long-term manufacturing engineering strategy.
• Drive innovation in manufacturing processes and technology adoption.
• Oversee the optimization of manufacturing methods and tooling.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Automation

Leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Product Life Cycle (PLM) systems

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Test Execution Systems (TES)

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

We are seeking an experienced and results‑driven Director of Manufacturing Engineering to lead and drive the strategic development, execution, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes across the organization. This leader will oversee engineering teams across diverse product lines, ensuring efficient production, scalability, and quality while supporting new product introductions, automation initiatives, and operational excellence. The role also emphasizes scaling production in a fast‑paced environment, advancing digital manufacturing tools, and supporting the development of classified systems that meet stringent operational and security requirements.

About The Role

As the Director of Manufacturing Engineering, your role encompasses the strategic oversight and tactical management of manufacturing engineering and systems to support both the development of new products and the scaling of high‑volume production at Arsenal. You are charged with ensuring rigorous manufacturing processes are in place, resulting in the consistent delivery of superior quality products to our customers. Your leadership will also guarantee the fulfillment of manufacturing's capacity commitments while driving advancements in digital tools and methodologies to improve design, analysis, and execution. This role demands an innovative and adaptable approach to solving complex manufacturing challenges in a highly dynamic environment.

What You'll Do

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a long‑term manufacturing engineering strategy aligned with company goals.
• Drive innovation in manufacturing processes, automation, and technology adoption to enhance efficiency and scalability for both development and high‑volume production.
• Define KPIs, measure performance, and ensure alignment with operational and business objectives.
• Architect the requirements and roadmaps for next‑generation digital manufacturing tools to improve manufacturing design, analysis, and production efficiency.
• Build systems and processes to support the manufacturing design and production of classified products in compliance with security and regulatory requirements.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee the optimization of manufacturing methods, tooling, and processes to improve quality, reduce costs, and increase throughput.
• Lead initiatives in lean manufacturing to reduce waste and improve production attainment and efficiency.
• Develop scalable processes to support rapid growth and adapt to a highly dynamic production environment.
• Ensure all manufacturing practices meet safety, quality, and regulatory compliance standards, including classified product handling.
• Manage manufacturing plans across the product portfolio to adapt to fluctuations in capacity and demand, ensuring seamless production continuity and resource optimization.

Team Development

• Build, lead, and mentor a high‑performing team of manufacturing engineers and technical staff.
• Foster cross‑functional collaboration across Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Product Development teams.
• Promote a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Partner with R&D and product development teams to ensure seamless transition of new products from design to production.
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DfM) and Design for Assembly (DfA) principles during product development, ensuring smooth scaling into production.
• Develop capacity plans and provide oversight for factory scoping, setup, and ramp‑up to support production scaling and operational readiness.

Resource Planning

• Manage budgets, resources, and staffing for the manufacturing engineering department.
• Forecast future operational and headcount needs to support scaling efforts for high‑growth production environments.
• Plan for rapid response to large‑scale program demands, including classified systems, with short ramp‑up times.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering (or related field).
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, with 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of scaling manufacturing operations in highly dynamic and fast‑paced environments.
• Expertise in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and process optimization.
• Strong knowledge of automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Experience in developing, implementing, and utilizing digital manufacturing tools for design and analysis.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes for classified systems, including security and compliance considerations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Experience in managing New Product Introduction (NPI) and scaling production for high‑growth environments.
• Familiar with Product Life Cycle (PLM) systems, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and Test Execution Systems (TES).
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

US Salary Range

$190,000—$252,000 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:
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.