Mechanical Engineer, Thunder

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 198,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA is seeking an experienced mechanical engineer to own and drive rotorcraft and complex system development from concept to low-rate production. You will lead cross-disciplinary efforts to define requirements, propose solutions, and verify mechanical designs while coordinating with electrical and software teams to deliver a reliable, cost-effective system.

The role emphasizes hands-on fabrication, rapid prototyping, and a proactive culture.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in mechanical engineering or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years in a professional technical engineering role.
• Proven CAD skills and ability to produce engineering drawings.
• Strong fundamentals in structures, fluids, thermal, and mechanisms.
• Experience with MATLAB/SIMULINK/SIMSCAPE.
• Experience with machine shops (sheet metal, CNC, etc.).
• Rapid prototyping background including 3D printing.
• Hands-on fabrication skills (machining, welding, soldering).
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive mechanical systems from concept to low-rate production.
• Define requirements and evaluate mechanical system solutions.
• Collaborate with electrical and software teams for integrated systems.
• Lead design reviews and hardware test plans.
• Advance team tools, templates, processes, and standards.
• Foster a positive, high-energy team environment.
• Balance subsystems for speed, weight, manufacturability, and cost.
• Support hardware demonstrations with customers.
• Travel to test sites and vendors as needed.

Skills

Hands-on prototyping

Leadership

Willingness to travel

Manufacturing knowledge

Education

BS/MS in mechanical engineering

Tools

NX CAD

MATLAB/SIMULINK/SIMSCAPE

3D printing

Machine shop tools

Job description

About The Team

Here you will work on core product development for rotorcraft and complex systems, including but not limited to avionics, batteries, mechanisms, structures, sensors and payloads. The role requires high ownership and frequent collaboration with other core disciplines. The ideal candidate would be practical, hands‑on and a self starter.

What You’ll Do

• Own and drive mechanical systems and platform development, overseeing the process from initial concept to low rate production.
• Lead technical efforts to define requirements, propose possible solutions, and establish a methodology for evaluating and verifying mechanical systems.
• Work in close partnership with other disciplines to ensure the electrical, software, and mechanical systems collectively form a reliable, flexible, cost-effective system.
• Spearhead design reviews, conduct analysis, visit vendors, prototype and implement hardware test plans.
• Actively contribute to the enhancement of team tools, templates, processes, and standards.
• Cultivate a vibrant, positive, dedicated, high-energy, educational, and enjoyable community environment.
• Balance operational needs across vehicle subsystems while optimizing for development speed, mass, manufacturability, and cost
• Support critical hardware demonstrations with customers as needed
• Travel to test sites and vendors as needed

Required Qualifications

• Experience in an immersive technical project (collegiate project teams or professional settings)
• A minimum of 5+ years of experience in a professional technical engineering position (non-internship)
• Proven CAD skills (Any platform, but NX preferred) and the ability to produce high-quality engineering drawings that comply with common industry standards.
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals in structures, fluids, thermal, and mechanisms
• MATLAB/SIMULINK/SIMSCAPE experience
• Manufacturing knowledge & experience with machine shops (sheet metal, CNC, etc.)
• Rapid prototyping background (structures/electronics/software) & 3D printing knowledge
• Proficient in hands‑on prototyping (machining, shop tools, welding, soldering)
• BS or MS in mechanical engineering, or equivalent work experience
• Demonstrated hands‑on fabrication skills.
• Ability to travel 25% with potential surges above 25%
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in NX/Teamcenter
• Ability to integrate electronic components into mechanical designs (motors, controllers, sensors etc.)
• Solid understanding and application of GD&T
• Advanced designing skills for CNC machining, composites, sheet metal, injection molding, PCBA integration
• Outstanding leadership and interpersonal skills
• Familiarity with running a qualification campaign for flight hardware
• Familiarity with designing for rugged environments
• Understanding of MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-810G
• Experience with electro‑mechanical and electrical design concepts
• Experience with Formula SAE, Baja SAE, Design Build Fly, etc.

US Salary Range: $132,000—$198,000 USD

Benefits

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.

Data Privacy

To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.

By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third‑party service provider to conduct pre‑employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third‑party service provider provides risk‑intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public‑record information, and other lawful open‑source or commercial data sources. This third‑party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.