Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer

Slope; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril is seeking a Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer in the Costa Mesa area to advance instrumentation, telemetry, and data management for Group 5 UAS flight tests.

You will collaborate with discipline engineers, customers, and management to install sensors, perform calibrations, analyze data, and deliver real-time displays for decision-makers, with potential travel and eligibility for a U.S. Top Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of embedded data acquisition experience in aircraft.
• Strong data visualization using IADS, MATLAB, LabVIEW, Simulink.
• Experience with high-channel-count measurement systems (100–400 signals).
• Knowledge of grounding, bonding and shielding for RF instrumentation signals.

Responsibilities

• Decompose requirements to select and install flight test instrumentation; communicate insights to stakeholders.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers, customers, COMSEC, and program management.
• Lead investigations to diagnose instrumentation and RF telemetry issues; improve reliability and efficiency.
• Design analytics-driven products showing system performance metrics and trends for users.
• Design, fabricate and install flight test instrumentation sensors and data paths into experimental aircraft.
• Perform calibrations and pre-flight checks with engineers for GO/NO-GO decisions.
• Operate and maintain telemetry ground system using COTS software/hardware.
• Travel up to 50% to test sites in CA/NV/TX/OR as needed.

Skills

Embedded data acquisition

IADS

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Simulink

RF telemetry design

Data visualization

Communication

Education

B.S. in EE/Mechatronics

Tools

COTS telemetry hardware

Ground system software

RF measurement equipment

Job description

Summary

Anduril’s Test and Evaluation Team performs validation of Group 5 UAS. We work with specialist teams such as Guidance, Navigation and Control, Flight Sciences, Mission Systems, and Aircraft Maintenance to solve hard problems for customers. We are looking for instrumentation engineers and Group 5 UAS developers excited about implementing a powerful instrumentation, telemetry, and data management system for flight test of Group 5 UAS.

As a Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer at Anduril, you will dive into unique, complex challenges that come with high‑stakes, advanced technology in the defense sector. Your expertise will drive innovation in autonomous systems, shaping the future of defense and intelligence with solutions deployed at unparalleled speed. If you’re eager to leverage your instrumentation and RF telemetry skills in a bold, resource‑rich environment, Anduril provides the platform to propel your career and make a tangible difference in a world entering a new era of strategic competition.

Responsibilities

• Conduct requirements decomposition using digital tools to select and install only the necessary flight test instrumentation, and communicate analytical insights to stakeholders.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with discipline engineers, customers, COMSEC, and program management to inform safety of test, safety of flight, strategic decisions, and positively impact speed‑to‑ramp.
• Spearhead technical investigations to diagnose instrumentation and RF telemetry issues, providing leadership in data interpretation and solution formulation to improve system reliability and efficiency.
• Design and implement analytics‑driven customer‑facing products that showcase system performance metrics, provide trend analysis, and enhance user understanding and experience with Group 5 UAS platforms.
• Design, fabricate, and install flight test instrumentation sensors, data paths, and equipment into experimental aircraft, often utilizing novel approaches, including fabrication of wire harnesses and routing through aircraft structure.
• Perform test instrument calibrations and pre‑flight checks with discipline and manufacturing engineers as an approving signatory for GO/NO‑GO flight test decisions.
• Operate and maintain a telemetry auto‑tracking Ground System using COTS software and hardware.
• Travel from Anduril HQ to establish FTI and RF telemetry solutions in the high desert of California, Nevada, Texas, and Oregon up to 50% of the time.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field. Alternative backgrounds include Radar Systems, Data Science with strong quantitative and mechanical measurement foundations.
• 5+ years of notable experience with embedded data acquisition systems in manned or unmanned aircraft.
• Exceptional data visualization skills, with proficiency in analytical tools such as IADS, MATLAB, LabVIEW, and Simulink.
• Demonstrated expertise in implementing high‑channel‑count mechanical measurement systems (100‑400 measurands) and architecting RF telemetry for near real‑time display in a control room.
• Proven track record of implementing and troubleshooting grounding, bonding, and shielding solutions for analog‑to‑digital instrumentation signals in multi‑band RF environments.
• Experience with composite and exotic material installations across varying flight test environments.
• Strong commitment to applying data science to solve real‑world problems, translating findings into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, engaging effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work extended hours as required.
• Ability to travel as required for test planning and execution.
• Immediate eligibility for a U.S. Top Secret‑Level security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science or B.S. with 10+ years of experience in flight test instrumentation on COTS telemetry solutions including ground and air equipment.
• 5+ years of experience setting up and administering high‑channel‑count RF telemetry systems with the Interactive Analysis and Display System (IADS).
• Knowledge of best practices for implementing RF ground planes and architecting RF telemetry systems for maximum RF range on composite aircraft.
• Leadership experience mentoring less experienced engineers and leading project teams in complex data acquisition initiatives.
• Experience with “Data‑at‑rest” multi‑domain encrypted storage devices on aircraft.

Salary

US Salary Range: $146,000 — $194,000 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 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.

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.