Mechanical Launch Integration Engineer, Space

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401k plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Anduril Industries seeks an experienced Launch Integration Engineer for spacecraft programs, guiding from kick-off to separation on orbit. You’ll be the primary technical interface to the launch vehicle provider and coordinate all data products.

Candidate will author ICDs, verify launch environments, own the verification matrix, and lead site operations. Strong engineering background and ability to work with government partners are essential.

Qualifications

• BS or higher in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Experience conducting launch integration operations with emphasis on safety and reliability.
• Experience interfacing with launch vehicle providers and spacecraft teams (ICDs, mass properties, environments).
• Ability to quickly understand and navigate detailed requirements.
• Willing to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Author and negotiate Launch Requirements Documents and ICDs defining interfaces.
• Coordinate delivery of analysis and data products to and from the launch provider.
• Define and verify spacecraft compatibility with launch environments.
• Own the verification and compliance matrix against launch requirements.
• Plan and lead launch site operations and day-of-launch activities.
• Support readiness reviews and present status to customers.
• Work with government agencies to obtain licenses and approvals.
• Triage issues, conduct root cause investigations, and drive improvements.
• Create technical documentation and procedures.
• Travel to launch sites and vendors as needed, including international campaigns.

Skills

Launch integration

System interface coordination

Clear communication

Security clearance

Detail oriented

Education

BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

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 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 own launch integration for spacecraft programs from kick-off through separation on orbit, serving as the primary technical interface to the launch vehicle provider.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Author and negotiate Launch Requirements Documents and Interface Control Documents (ICDs) that define the mechanical, electrical, and environmental interfaces between the spacecraft and launch vehicle
• Coordinate delivery of analysis and data products to and from the launch provider – mass properties, coupled loads analysis (CLA) inputs and results, structural and thermal FEMs, separation and clearance analyses, range safety documentation, MSDS, and test reports
• Define and verify spacecraft compatibility with launch environments (quasi-static, vibration, acoustic, shock, and thermal), reconciling launch provider levels against the spacecraft design and test program
• Own the verification and compliance matrix against launch provider requirements for spacecraft and payloads
• Plan and lead launch site operations – transport, fit-checks, propellant loading support, integrated testing, encapsulation, and day-of-launch activities
• Support integration and readiness reviews (e.g., MRR, LRR, FRR) and present launch readiness status internally and to customers
• Work with internal teams and government agencies to obtain the required licenses and approvals (FAA, FCC, NOAA, etc.) and comply with range safety and orbital debris mitigation regulations for launching spacecraft
• Triage issues, conduct root cause investigations, and drive lessons learned from each launch campaign into simpler, more standardized processes across programs
• Create excellent technical documentation – integration plans, interface control documents, procedures, test reports
• Travel to launch sites, ranges, and vendors as needed, including extended and international campaign support and off-nominal launch operations

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BS or higher degree in engineering or a hard science, ideally in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• Experience conducting launch integration operations with an emphasis on simplicity, safety, and reliability
• Experience interfacing with launch vehicle providers and spacecraft development teams, including the products exchanged – ICDs, mass properties, coupled loads, environments, and separation systems
• Ability to quickly understand and navigate detailed requirements
• Highly motivated and capable of solving complex technical problems with little oversight
• Clear communication and organizational skills including documentation and training material
• Excellent attention to detail
• Willing to establish scope and requirements for ill-defined problems
• A desire to work on critical spacecraft systems in support of the U.S. government and her allies
• Be able to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience writing code or automating functions to improve efficiency and delivery to customers and launch providers (Python, MATLAB, etc.)
• Experience supporting spacecraft environmental test campaigns (structural, thermal-vacuum, EMI/EMC)
• Experience designing and integrating mechanical and electrical ground support equipment for environmental test and launch integration campaigns
• Familiarity with launch vehicle user’s guides and with ride-share and dedicated launch provider interface and environmental requirements
• Direct experience running coupled loads, separation and clearance, or structural and thermal analyses
• Experience working as a stack integrator and coordinating interfaces across multiple spacecraft providers
• Familiarity with range safety, launch licensing, and orbital debris mitigation (e.g., FAA Part 450, ODMSP, NASA-STD-8719.14)

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 (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:

• Comprehensive health, dental, vision coverage both in the US and abroad (the package can be tailored for international installations)
• Health and wellness resources, including but not limited to movement, minutes, massage, recovery, etc.
• Access to the Onboard Mental Health and Well-Being Services portal, with our Global Emotional Health Dece…
• Paid medical, legal and compliance protection …
• Work‑Life Balance ...
• Retirement benefits including a 401k…
• Paid parental leave ...
• Paid time‑away rent …
• Referral & incentives ...
• Other benefits ...

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.