Flight Test Engineer - Mission Autonomy

Anduril; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA is seeking a Mission Autonomy Flight Test Engineer to advance testing methodologies for autonomous systems. You will design test plans, analyze data, and work with cross-functional teams to validate performance and update autonomy algorithms.

Expect travel and collaboration with government test ranges. Required is a bachelor's in engineering/computer science/robotics and a minimum of three years' flight testing exposure to autonomous or remotely piloted

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, robotics, or related field; or equivalent autonomous systems testing experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of flight testing experience with autonomous/remotely piloted systems.
• Experience developing/executing test plans for complex systems under tight timelines.
• Familiarity with mission autonomy, unmanned systems, and multi-asset integration.
• Strong data interpretation and actionable improvement recommendations.
• Proven ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to meet milestones.
• Excellent communication skills and flexibility to travel.

Responsibilities

• Drive testing methodologies for mission autonomy to ensure robust performance.
• Design and implement test plans for autonomous systems across simulated mission profiles.
• Analyze test data to validate performance and refine autonomy algorithms.
• Collaborate with software/hardware teams and product managers to define test requirements.
• Lead end-to-end test management and deliver clear reports to stakeholders.
• Execute simulations of real-world autonomous scenarios to accelerate testing.
• Coordinate with private and government test ranges for evaluations.

Skills

Flight testing

Autonomous systems

Test planning

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/computer science/robotics

Tools

Python

C++

ROS

Simulation tools

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.

The Test and Evaluation team at Anduril is integral to our mission, ensuring that every product meets the highest standards of performance and reliability. We are at the forefront of testing approaches, particularly in the domain of mission autonomy systems. As we expand, we're seeking a methodical engineer who is prepared to tackle the challenges of mission autonomy testing and contribute to the iterative development and refinement of our autonomous systems, including the Fury, Anduril's Group 5 UAS.

As a Mission Autonomy Flight Test Engineer at Anduril Industries, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of defense technology. Your focus on autonomy will empower users to execute multifaceted missions with precision and efficiency. Join us in our mission to transform military capabilities with your expertise in testing and autonomy.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Drive the advancement of Anduril's testing methodologies, with a focus on mission autonomy systems, to ensure robust and reliable performance in complex operational scenarios.
• Design and implement test plans that challenge and verify the capabilities of autonomous systems in a variety of simulated mission profiles.
• Analyze data from tests to validate system performance and identify areas for improvement, iterating rapidly to refine autonomy algorithms and behaviors.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, hardware engineers, and product managers, to define test requirements and ensure alignment with system capabilities and mission objectives.
• Drive end-to-end test management by shaping program requirements, designing comprehensive test plans, leading execution efforts, analyzing complex data, and delivering clear, concise reports to cross-functional and program teams.
• Execute and analyze simulations that replicate real-world scenarios for autonomous systems to accelerate testing cycles, optimize system performance, and inform stakeholders on development and deployment implications.
• Coordinate with private and government test ranges to test and evaluate systems and software

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, robotics, or a related technical field from an accredited institution, or equivalent experience in autonomous systems testing.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in flight testing, with a strong emphasis on autonomous or remotely piloted systems.
• Demonstrated ability in developing and executing test plans for complex systems within aggressive timelines.
• Familiarity with the principles of mission autonomy, unmanned systems, and the integration of multiple assets into cohesive operational frameworks.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret test data, diagnose system behaviors, and recommend actionable improvements.
• Proven track record of working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to achieve project milestones and deliverables.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of effectively articulating technical challenges and solutions to a diverse audience.
• Willingness to work flexible hours and travel to various testing locations as required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret-Level security clearance.
• In this role, you will be subject to pre-employment and randomized substance screening, as required by the Company.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Direct experience in the development, testing, and deployment of mission autonomy systems in a defense or aerospace context.
• Hands-on experience with simulation environments and tools used for testing autonomous systems.
• Familiarity with software development practices and experience with programming languages used in autonomy and robotics (e.g., Python, C++, ROS).
• Knowledge of current industry and military standards related to unmanned aerial systems and their operation within national airspace.

US Salary Range

$86,000 - $112,000 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 .

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Anduril Industries’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.