Lead Drone Systems Mechanical Engineer

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

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA seeks a Mechanical Engineer to own complex subsystems for drone products from concept to production. You will design optical gimbals, batteries, structures, and payloads, collaborating across disciplines.

The role requires hands-on prototyping, strong CAD skills, and the ability to summarize technical content to guide future requirements. High ownership and leadership opportunities exist.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
• Extensive experience taking a product from concept through production.
• Hands-on prototyping with machining, welding, soldering, and shop tools.

Responsibilities

• Own complex mechanical subsystems for drone products from concept to full rate production.
• Gather requirements and perform trade studies to determine best solution.
• Perform hand calculations and FEA to develop, assess, and optimize designs.
• Lead design reviews and obtain buy-in from cross-disciplinary partners.
• Build prototypes, define hardware test plans, iterate designs, summarize results and lessons learned.
• Perform root cause investigations for hardware failures in development and production.
• Balance operational needs across vehicle subsystems while optimizing development speed, mass, manufacturability, and cost.
• Support critical hardware demonstrations with customers as needed.
• Travel to test sites and vendors as needed.

Skills

Mechanical design

Product ownership

CAD skills

Engineering fundamentals

Prototyping

Technical communication

Education

BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Solidworks

NX

PLM systems

Job description

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA seeks a Mechanical Engineer to own complex subsystems for drone products from concept to production. You will design optical gimbals, batteries, structures, and payloads, collaborating across disciplines.

The role requires hands-on prototyping, strong CAD skills, and the ability to summarize technical content to guide future requirements. High ownership and leadership opportunities exist.