Drone Manufacturing Lead — Scale Production & Innovation

Anduril-1; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Santa Ana, CA, is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Engineer for Drones to bridge design and high‑volume production of UAS such as Bolt, Ghost, Anvil, and future autonomous platforms. This role will shape manufacturing processes from early design through ramp to full production, lead cross‑functional teams, and drive rapid, scalable deployment.

You will own manufacturing documentation, uphold quality programs, and pursue cost reduction and efficiency gains while fostering a

Qualifications

• Degree in a technical field such as engineering, math, or a hard science.
• 5+ years in manufacturing or similar prototyping position.
• Demonstrated in-kind or direct team leadership skills, with backing examples.
• An attitude of world-class mission assurance, quality, attention to detail, and dedication.
• A genuine interest in manufacturing and thirst for learning.
• Demonstrated ability to creatively deliver hardware in a resource‑constrained environment
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

Responsibilities

• Build, mentor, and lead a high‑performing team of Manufacturing Engineers with deep product knowledge in mechanical, electrical, system integration, and end of line tests
• Lead the transition of products from concept to prototype, pilot, and full production with speed, flexibility, scalability, and first‑time quality.
• Provide daily sustaining support to ensure each product line performs as intended, including real‑time problem‑solving related to mechanical fitment issues, electrical and harnessing issues, as well as software and firmware issues.
• Work with cross‑functional team (design, quality, supply chain, etc.) during the development process to drive design for manufacturing best practices into the design effort, and help facilitate the transition from design to prototype to rate production.
• Own documentation required for successfully manufacturing product group hardware at scale, such as MBOM’s, work instructions & requirements, etc.
• Uphold and advise on quality management and business application programs as they pertain to manufacturing within your area.
• Facilitate make versus buy decisions, and coordinate with internal supply chain teams to manage vendors to ensure quality deliveries on time.
• Contribute to end‑customer hardware mechanical or electrical design, including interconnects, board fabrication and inspection, etc.
• Analyze metrics for continuous improvement initiatives (cost reduction, QI reduction & capacity increase).
• Instill a culture of innovation, teamwork, and accountability within the manufacturing engineering product team.

Skills

Team leadership

Manufacturing engineering

Quality management

Design for manufacturing

Education

Technical degree in engineering/math/science

Tools

NX/Teamcenter

PCBA fabrication

SMT processes

Job description

Anduril Industries in Santa Ana, CA, is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Engineer for Drones to bridge design and high‑volume production of UAS such as Bolt, Ghost, Anvil, and future autonomous platforms. This role will shape manufacturing processes from early design through ramp to full production, lead cross‑functional teams, and drive rapid, scalable deployment.

You will own manufacturing documentation, uphold quality programs, and pursue cost reduction and efficiency gains while fostering a