Mechanical Engineer, Components and Propulsion

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Equity grants

Support for health and recovery

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a Mechanical Engineer in Costa Mesa, California. This role focuses on designing and analyzing advanced propulsion systems for defense technology. Candidates should have at least 3 years of experience in the field, a strong mechanical engineering background, and be eligible for a U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

Competitive salary ranges from $129,000 to $171,000, alongside a comprehensive benefits package to support your health and well-being.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in propulsion system design.
• Proficiency in engineering analysis software.
• Strong skills in detailed mechanical design using CAD.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and engineering of propulsion systems.
• Develop and optimize mechanical components.
• Conduct advanced simulations and analyses.

Skills

Fluid dynamics

Thermodynamics

Turbomachinery

Mechanical component design

Hands-on testing

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

OpenFOAM

ANSYS

CATIA

SolidWorks

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 JOB

At Anduril, our Mechanical Engineers, Components and Propulsion are at the forefront of defense technology, crafting high‑impact, cutting‑edge propulsion systems and high-performance mechanical components that redefine innovation. You'll dive into a diverse range of projects, partnering with brilliant minds across disciplines to engineer robust thermo‑mechanical designs and efficient power delivery systems that empower our mission‑critical operations. We’re seeking talented Mechanical Engineers with specialized expertise in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, turbomachinery, or advanced mechanical component design to contribute to projects that are shaping the future of defense.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Design & Analyze Propulsion Systems: Lead the conceptualization, design, and detailed engineering of novel propulsion systems (e.g., electric, turbofan, rocket, hybrid) including engines, motors, pumps, and associated fluidic or thermal management components, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.
• Develop High‑Performance Mechanical Components: Design and optimize critical mechanical components and subsystems, such as gearboxes, actuators, mechanisms, and structural elements, to meet stringent performance, reliability, and mass targets in extreme environments.
• Conduct Advanced Thermo‑Fluid & Structural Analysis: Perform comprehensive simulations and analyses including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for stress/thermal/vibration, and thermodynamic modeling to predict and validate system behavior.
• Prototype, Test & Validate: Drive the fabrication, assembly, and rigorous testing of propulsion prototypes and key components, developing test plans, executing experiments, collecting data, and performing root cause analysis to refine designs.
• Integrate & Optimize for Production: Collaborate closely with Systems, Electrical, Software, and Manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration of propulsion and mechanical components into larger platforms, optimizing designs for manufacturability, maintainability, and scalability.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Educational Foundation & Experience: Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, coupled with 3+ years of direct, hands‑on experience in propulsion system design, analysis, or the development of high‑performance mechanical components.
• Propulsion System Expertise: Demonstrated experience with the design, analysis (e.g., thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, turbomachinery), and testing of propulsion systems (e.g., electric motors, internal combustion engines, jet engines, rocket engines).
• Advanced Simulation & Analysis Skills: Proficiency in relevant engineering analysis software, including CFD (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM), FEA (e.g., ANSYS, Nastran), and multi‑physics simulation tools.
• Mechanical Design & CAD Proficiency: Strong skills in detailed mechanical design using professional CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, NX), with a solid understanding of GD&T, materials selection, and manufacturing processes relevant to high‑performance components.
• Hands‑on Testing & Data Analysis: Proven ability to plan, execute, and analyze results from propulsion or component‑level testing, including familiarity with data acquisition systems, instrumentation, and experimental validation techniques.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

Successful candidates will be matched to a specific team at a subsequent stage of the recruitment process. The roles considered for this job post may require travel. The extent of travel will vary by role.

US Salary Range: $129,000 — $171,000 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. Additionally, Anduril offers top‑tier benefits for full‑time employees, including:

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.