Mechanical Engineer, Space Emerging Talent

Anduril; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries seeks a Mechanical Engineer for Space Emerging Talent to own hardware from concept through launch on early-stage programs. You’ll influence design decisions and see your work fly, in a hands-on, first-principles role within Anduril’s Space team.

The role emphasizes CAD design, testing, and transition to flight hardware, plus travel to test sites and vendors. You’ll collaborate across disciplines, meet timelines, and contribute to robust space missions under security clearance

Qualifications

• BS or higher in mechanical/ aerospace engineering.
• Core coursework: mechanics of materials, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, statics.
• Hands-on fabrication experience with shop equipment.
• CAD experience and engineering drawings to industry standards.
• Hands-on technical project experience (FSAE, Baja, CubeSat) or co-op/internship.
• Detail-oriented, organized, self-starting with scope definition.
• Eligible for active US security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design hardware in CAD and analyze with hand calculations.
• Evaluate architecture and packaging trade-offs.
• Present at design reviews and track timelines.
• Define and execute test plans; analyze failures.
• Transition prototypes to flight hardware and production.
• Create drawings, test procedures, vendor specs.
• Travel to test sites and vendors as needed.

Skills

Hands-on fabrication

Attention to detail

Self-starter

Scope definition

Communication skills

Education

BS in Mechanical/Aerospace

Tools

NX/Teamcenter

3D CAD

Job description

Mechanical Engineer, Space Emerging Talent

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

You'll be the responsible engineer for your subsystem, owning hardware from concept through launch. Most of our programs are early-stage, so you'll have real influence on design decisions and the chance to see your work fly. This is a hands-on, first-principles role with full lifecycle ownership from day one.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Design hardware in CAD, run hand calculations, perform structural analysis and build prototypes..
• Make architecture and packaging trade-offs, continuously simplifying where possible.
• Present at subsystem design reviews and communicate technical status and timelines.
• Define and execute test plans, analyze failures, and visit vendors.
• Transition prototype designs to flight hardware and low-rate production.
• Create technical documentation - drawings, test plans, procedures, and vendor specifications.
• Travel to test sites and vendors as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BS or higher in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline.
• Strong foundation in core engineering coursework: mechanics of materials, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and statics.
• Hands-on fabrication experience - you've personally used a mill, lathe, drill press, or similar shop equipment in a school shop, co-op, or on your own time.
• CAD proficiency (any platform) and the ability to produce engineering drawings that meet common industry standards.
• Meaningful involvement in a hands-on technical project - through a competitive engineering club (FSAE, Baja SAE, rocket team, CubeSat program) or a co-op/internship where you designed and built real hardware.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Highly motivated and self-starting, with the ability to define scope and requirements for problems that aren't fully defined yet.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Shop teaching assistant experience (mill, lathe, CNC, welding) - candidates who taught the shop class after taking it stand out.
• Leadership role in a competitive engineering club (FSAE, Baja, aerospace/rocket team, CubeSat program).
• Experience integrating electronic components (PCBAs, motors, sensors) into mechanical designs.
• Co-op or internship at a startup or fast-paced engineering environment.
• Experience with NX/Teamcenter.
• Exposure to optical or RF system integration.
• Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for analytical models or data processing.
• Structural or thermal testing experience - sensor selection, data acquisition, post-processing.

US Salary Range

$86,000 - $114,000 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: At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you are supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits .

As set forth in Anduril Industries's Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.