Lead Payload Engineer, Electronic Warfare

Anduril Industries, Inc.; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 154,000 - 231,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Lead Payload Engineer specializing in Electronic Warfare. This pivotal role involves overseeing the design and integration of advanced payload systems for aerospace applications. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience, a strong background in RF systems, and a commitment to innovative solutions. Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to transforming military capabilities through cutting-edge technology. With a focus on collaboration and technical excellence, this position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of defense technology while enjoying competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Platinum Healthcare Benefits

Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance

Generous holiday calendar

16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave

Family Planning & Parenting Support

Mental Health Resources

Professional development stipend

Daily Meals and Provisions

Company-funded commuter benefits

401(k) retirement savings plan

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in payload engineering required.
• Experience with RF systems and electronic warfare techniques is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and integration of payload systems.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to deliver innovative payload solutions.

Skills

Payload Engineering

Electronic Warfare Techniques

RF Systems

Data Analysis

Project Management

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Tools

Project Management Tools

Job description

Lead Payload Engineer, Electronic Warfare

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.

We are seeking an experienced EW Payload Engineer Lead with a strong background in aerospace or relevant engineering fields to oversee the design, development, and integration of payload systems. The Payload Engineer Lead will be responsible for planning, organizing, and directing both internal and external program activities, ensuring that all technical objectives are met while adhering to contractual requirements. This role will involve collaborating with cross-functional teams, managing project timelines, and coordinating with stakeholders to deliver innovative payload solutions that meet customer needs.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead technical execution from vision & initial design, through fabrication, test and production
• Design, develop, and test payload systems for various aerospace applications, ensuring compliance with mission requirements and specifications.
• Setup trades to enable exploration of early designs while working closely with technical SMEs and Business Development teams to find the right solution for current and future gaps in capability
• Operate at the intersection of software and hardware helping to craft a system level architecture that supports a robust and design
• Define product milestones, lead technical design reviews, guide cross-functional product decisions, manage engineering risk
• Coordinate the fabrication of prototype and low-rate production articles and subsystem/system level test efforts
• Work with senior leadership to ensure resource plans are adequate for work scope
• Support remote troubleshooting and operation of deployed systems
• Conduct hands-on, in-field testing
• Create and carry out a verification and validation plan for the end to end system

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of experience in payload engineering
• Experience with Electronic Warfare techniques
• Experience with RF Systems
• An understanding of Airworthiness Certification requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in STEM or equivalent experience in a relevant field
• Experience with data analysis, rapid prototyping, and early-stage customer deployment
• Hands-on build and prototyping of complex systems
• Familiarity with concepts of hardware, firmware, software system design
• Ability to engage technically with multi-discipline leads
• Ability to lead a multi-disciplinary team through design trades while meeting program deadlines
• Take ownership, have a mission-oriented mentality to see the product meet the end need of the customer.
• Extremely organized and detail-oriented, with strong verbal & written communication skills
• A sincere commitment to a positive, inclusive, and collaborative culture
• Ability to travel as required for test planning and execution
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of regulatory standards and compliance requirements in the aerospace industry.
• Experience with project management tools and methodologies.

US Salary Range: $154,000 - $231,000 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:

• Platinum Healthcare Benefits: For U.S. roles, we offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you.
• Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Anduril, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in December, and highly competitive PTO plans.
• 16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition.
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting.
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more.
• A professional development stipend is available to all Andurilians.
• Daily Meals and Provisions: For many of our offices this means breakfast, lunch and fully stocked micro-kitchens.
• Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
• 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). (US roles only)

Anduril is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Anduril team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals, who together are disrupting industry norms by creating new paths towards the future of defense technology. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law.