Launch Service Mission Manager

Anduril; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

Generous Time Off

Mental Health Resources

Professional Development reimbursement

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA is seeking a Launch Service Mission Manager to oversee the interface between spacecraft and launch providers. This role includes coordinating deliverables and acting as the primary contact for spacecraft customers. You'll work with various teams ensuring compliance and timely deployment of resilient spacecraft systems.

The ideal candidate has a strong engineering background, 3+ years of launch experience, and holds a U.S. Secret security clearance. Comprehensive benefits and a competitive salary range of $129,000 – $171,000 USD are offered.

Qualifications

• Strong engineering background from industry or school, ideally in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 3+ years of professional launch experience.
• Ability to quickly understand complex systems and requirements.

Responsibilities

• Own the launch integration plans for spacecraft programs.
• Provide deliverables to launch providers for integration.
• Coordinate with launch providers and internal engineering teams.

Skills

Engineering background

Professional launch experience

Launch integration operations

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Education

Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering degree

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

Anduril's Space team is dedicated to expanding our AI-powered capabilities into the final frontier, enhancing Space Domain Awareness, Space Control, and Command and Control for U.S. military and allied partners. We're developing fully integrated hardware and software systems, including Lattice for Space Missions and modular payloads, to address growing threats in space and ensure our Guardians maintain a decisive advantage in this contested warfighting domain.

ABOUT THE JOB

We are looking for a Launch Service Mission Manager to join our rapidly growing team in Costa Mesa, CA. In this role, you will be responsible for owning the interface between the spacecraft and launch providers for all of Anduril’s spacecraft. You will be responsible for the coordination of all deliverables to the launch provider and act as the primary point of contact for all things launch to Anduril’s spacecraft customers. The Launch Integration team will work closely with related teams, such as the mechanical and structural spacecraft design, systems engineer, electrical design, program management, spacecraft mission operations, etc.

This role is tied to ongoing, funded programs within Anduril’s Space Business Line. The programs require building and fielding a resilient, software‑defined spacecraft systems across numerous mission threads. We work with mission partners and customers to deploy reliable and robust capabilities on operationally relevant fielding timelines to meet complex challenges across the DOD and IC.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Own the launch integration plans and procedures for various spacecraft programs launching to all orbital regimes.
• Provide all deliverables to the launch providers to enable launch integrations at various payload processing facilities.
• Collaborate across multiple teams to plan, build, and test complex functionality.
• Triage issues, root cause failures, and coordinate next steps.
• Coordinate with launch providers, customers, and internal spacecraft engineering teams to ensure satisfaction of all launch provider requirements for spacecraft and payloads.
• Support challenging schedules during ground testing, launch windows and on‑orbit operations of the spacecraft systems.
• Work with other teams and government agencies to achieve the required licenses (FCC, NOAA, etc.) and comply with regulations for launching spacecraft.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong engineering background from industry or school, ideally in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or other engineering degree.
• 3+ years of professional launch experience.
• Experience conducting launch integration operations with an emphasis on safety and reliability.
• Ability to quickly understand and navigate complex systems and detailed requirements.
• Capable of solving complex technical problems with little oversight.
• Clear communication and organizational skills including documentation and training material.
• Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.
• Willingness to support launch‑related travel as needed.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS

• Experience with coding or automating functions to improve efficiency and delivery to customers and launch providers.
• A desire to work on critical spacecraft systems in support of the US government and our allies.
• Experience working with launch vehicles, spacecraft and other systems.
• Experience supporting spacecraft environmental test campaigns.
• Experience designing and integrating mechanical and electrical ground support equipment for spacecraft environmental test campaigns and launch integration campaigns.
• Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

US Salary Range: $129,000 – $171,000 USD.

Healthcare Benefits:

• US Roles: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you.
• UK & AUS Roles: We cover full cost of medical insurance premiums for you and your dependents.
• IE Roles: We offer an annual contribution toward your private health insurance for you and your dependents.

Additional Benefits:

• Income Protection: Anduril covers life and disability insurance for all employees.
• Generous Time Off: Highly competitive PTO plans with a holiday hiatus in December. Caregiver & Wellness Leave is available to care for family members, bond with a new baby, or address your own medical needs.
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Coverage for fertility treatments (e.g., IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carriers, along with resources to support you and your partner from planning to parenting.
• Mental Health Resources: Access free mental health resources 24/7, including therapy and life coaching. Additional work‑life services, such as legal and financial support, are also available.
• Professional Development: Annual reimbursement for professional development.
• Commuter Benefits: Company‑funded commuter benefits based on your region.
• Relocation Assistance: Available depending on role eligibility.

Retirement Savings Plan:

• US Roles: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after‑tax (mega backdoor Roth) options.
• UK & IE Roles: Pension plan with employer match.
• AUS Roles: Superannuation plan.

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.