Modeling and Simulation Engineer, Space Mission Design

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 167,000 - 222,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA is seeking a Modeling and Simulation Engineer to own mission solutions, design trajectories, build models, and develop simulations for diverse space missions. You will listen to stakeholders and craft rigorous math and physics analyses that translate into clear value propositions.

You will collaborate with Systems Engineering, GNC, Propulsion, Communications, and Flight Software, leading physics-level modeling, mission and constellation design, and

Qualifications

• Active U.S. Secret security clearance required.
• Experience in Space Mission Analysis and modeling for diverse space missions.
• Experience with spacecraft propulsion, power, thermal management, and payloads.
• Excellent communication and ability to present complex data visually.
• Strong background in orbital mechanics and space environment.
• Proficiency with physics-math scripting: MATLAB, SIMULINK, Python+NumPy, SciPy.
• Engineering background in Astrodynamics, Aerospace Engineering, Dynamics and Controls.

Responsibilities

• Develop model-driven analyses and the models themselves.
• Understand and convey the transformational value of Anduril's platform and autonomous systems.
• Leverage internal MS&A capabilities to gain analytical advantage.
• Articulate value of AI-powered distributed systems over traditional offerings.
• Produce rigorous analytical products to guide hardware design and stakeholder decisions.

Skills

Active U.S. Secret security clearance

Space Mission MS&A experience

Spacecraft & Payload MS&A experience

Strong communication skills

Orbital mechanics expertise

Physics-based scripting

Engineering background in Astrodyn/ASD

Tools

STK

Astrogator

Python

MATLAB

SIMULINK

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

As a Modeling and Simulation Engineer, you will own the understanding and design of the mission solution which includes designing mission trajectories, building models to help craft mission solutions, and developing simulations to solve key mission needs. You will carefully listen to stakeholder needs and then design rigorous math and physics analyses leading to clear and compelling value propositions. You will work closely with related teams, including Systems Engineering, GNC, Propulsion, Communications, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and others. You will lead physics-level modeling, mission design, constellation design, simulation and analysis for a wide variety of space missions.

This role is directly tied to ongoing, funded programs within Anduril’s Space Business Line. The programs require building and fielding a resilient, software-defined spacecraft systems across numerous mission threads. We work with mission partners and customers to deploy reliable and robust capabilities on operationally relevant fielding timelines to meet complex challenges across the DOD and IC.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Develop model-driven analysis (and often the models themselves)
• Develop a deep understanding of transformational value of Anduril platform, autonomy, simulation, and perception products
• Use our advanced internal M&S capabilities to give our analyses an asymmetric advantage over competitors
• Convey the value through life of AI-powered distributed systems over traditional industrial offerings
• Provide rigorous analytical products which will be used to guide hardware engineering and convince stakeholders of our value advantage

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
• Space Mission MS&A experience - for example, working knowledge of constellation design, space trajectory design, and physics-level modeling across a wide variety of space missions
• Spacecraft & Payload MS&A experience— ability to perform physics-based trade-space analyses for spacecraft propulsion, power, thermal management, and payloads such as RADAR, SATCOM, and/or EOIR
• Outstanding communication skills to include visual presentation of complex data
• Strong background in orbital mechanics and space environment
• Proficiency with physics-math scripting (e.g., MATLAB, SIMULINK, Python+numpy, scipy)
• Strong engineering background, preferably in Astrodynamics, Aerospace Engineering, Dynamics and Controls Engineering, or other related engineering field

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years in a relevant Science/Engineering field
• Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO) Trajectory Design & Space Payloads experience
• Exceptional proficiency with physics-math scripting of your choice (e.g., MATLAB, SIMULINK, Python+numpy, scipy)
• Proficiency with STK and Astrogator
• Experience with genetic algorithms, machine learning, AI, and reinforcement learning algorithms

US Salary Range

$167,000—$222,000 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:

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.