Flight Test Director

Anduril; Costa Mesa, Washington (CA, District of Columbia); On-site; USD 220,000 - 292,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril is seeking a seasoned leader to manage the Group 5 Mission Autonomy test organization. You will oversee the test and evaluation of the autonomy software stack across SITL, HITL, and Flight environments, coordinating with test leads and engineers to ensure rigorous validation.

The role involves customer engagement and complex cross-team collaboration. You must have a background in developmental or operational testing for multiple programs, with hands-on experience in defense systems, and

Qualifications

• Experience managing test teams for Developmental Test or Operational Test across multiple programs.
• Operational experience as a Pilot or CSO/NFO of USAF/USN/USMC fighter/bomber or RPAs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee test programs for Group 5 Mission Autonomy; from SITL, HITL, to Flight.
• Lead test engineers and test leads; manage customer and third-party engagements and relationships.
• Plan and coordinate multiple test programs with internal/external stakeholders; manage test infra teams.
• Develop and maintain test mission scenarios, procedures, DMOTs, and test reports.

Skills

Test program management

Operational testing

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Communication skills

Security clearance

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Job description

Costa Mesa, California, United States; Washington, District of Columbia, United States

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.

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. 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.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Manage the Group 5 Mission Autonomy test organization, overseeing the test and evaluation of the autonomy software stack and its components from inception to decommissioning through progressive test environments (SITL, HITL, Flight).
• Manage project test leads and lead test engineers executing test programs for all Group 5 MA programs. Support these teams' customer / third party engagements and relationship management.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate the execution of multiple simultaneous test programs with internal and external stakeholders. Coordinate and deconflict test and evaluation resources between test programs. Manage the teams responsible for test infrastructure.
• Manage test planning process, test plan approval, test readiness reviews, test data analysis, test artifact production. Work with project test leads to develop and maintain test mission scenarios, test procedures, test cards/Detailed Methods of Test (DMOTs). Manage production of Anduril and customer-facing test reports, processed data packages, and verified/validated software.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience managing test teams conducting Developmental Test or Operational Test for multiple programs.
• Operational experience as a Pilot or CSO/NFO of USAF, USN, or USMC 4th or 5th generation fighter/bomber aircraft or RPAs.
• Bachelor's degree in STEM, or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Experience planning and directing test events with go/no-go decision authority in developmental, operational, or integrated test environments.
• Familiarity with software development practices, progressive test environments (SITL -> HITL -> Flight), and systems engineering processes.
• Ability to leverage operational experience and technical knowledge to evaluate autonomous system behavior and make informed decisions in the absence of clear customer requirements.
• Self-starter with high ownership, mission-oriented mentality. Desire to see the product meet the need of the end customer.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret test data, diagnose system behaviors, and recommend actionable improvements.
• Organized and detail-oriented, with strong verbal & written communication skills.
• Proven track record of working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to achieve project milestones and deliverables.
• Experience coordinating across multiple external organizations (customers, air vehicle providers, range authorities, test support asset providers).
• Willingness to work flexible hours. Travel as required for test events and customer engagements.
• Active U.S. Top Secret security clearance and experience with Special Access Programs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate of a military Test Pilot School (e.g., USNTPS, USAF TPS, Empire Test Pilots' School)
• Direct experience testing autonomous systems, Unmanned Aerial Systems (Group 3+), or manned-unmanned teaming.
• Familiarity with government reference architectures for autonomous systems.
• Experience conducting software verification and validation testing.
• Masters degree in STEM, or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Knowledge of current industry and military standards related to unmanned aerial systems and their operation within national airspace.

US Salary Range

$220,000 - $292,000 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:

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 .