NPI Technician

Anduril-1; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA, seeks an experienced NPI Technician to support prototype assembly, testing, and the transition of new products from design to production, while coordinating with suppliers and tooling teams.

You'll develop manufacturing processes, perform first article builds, conduct detailed inspections with micrometers, calipers, and CMMs, and collect data for SPC analysis to drive yield, reliability, and cross‑functional improvements in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of technician experience in NPI, manufacturing, or assembly.
• Hands-on assembly and troubleshooting of mechanical, electromechanical, and optical systems.
• Strong GD&T knowledge and ability to interpret engineering drawings.
• Experience with CNC machining, injection molding, and precision assembly.
• Proficiency with micrometers, calipers, and CMM inspection tools.
• Experience with first article builds and design verification/validation processes.
• Knowledge of SPC and data analysis tools (Excel, Minitab).

Responsibilities

• Prototype assembly, testing, and troubleshooting of subsystems.
• Develop and refine manufacturing processes for new products.
• Support first article manufacturing and design verification.
• Inspect components using micrometers, calipers, and CMM.
• Collaborate on fixtures, tooling, and test rigs.
• Collect production data and perform statistical analysis.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and yield.
• Provide feedback to design for future iterations.

Skills

5+ years experience

Mechanical assembly

Electromechanical systems

Optical systems

GD&T

SPC data analysis

First article builds

Data analysis with Excel

Tools

CMMs

Micrometers

Calipers

Fixtures/tooling

Measurement instruments

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.

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company solving complex national security challenges through advanced hardware and software solutions. Our New Product Introduction (NPI) team is critical in bridging the gap between product design and scalable production. We are seeking an experienced NPI Technician to support the development, testing, and manufacturing of innovative systems.
This role requires extensive technical expertise, hands‑on problem‑solving skills, and the ability to collaborate cross‑functional teams to ensure the successful launch of new products.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Prototype Assembly & Testing:
  • Assemble, test, and troubleshoot prototypes, subassemblies, and systems, including mechanical, electromechanical, and optical components.
  • Perform system-level tests, operational verification, and functional testing to validate designs.
• Process Development:
• Assist in developing and refining assembly and manufacturing processes for new products.
• Provide input to engineering teams to improve manufacturability and streamline production workflows
• First Article Builds:
  • Support first article manufacturing, including design verification and validation processes.
  • Work with engineering and production teams to ensure smooth transitions from prototype to production.
• Inspection & Quality Control:
  • Conduct detailed inspections of components and assemblies using tools such as micrometers, calipers, and coordinate measuring machines (CMM).
  • Identify and document non‑conformances and assist in implementing corrective actions.
• Fixture & Tooling Support:
  • Collaborate with engineering teams to set up, maintain, and improve manufacturing fixtures, tools, and test rigs.
  • Support the calibration and maintenance of equipment to ensure reliability.
• Work with suppliers to validate incoming materials and components, addressing quality and dimensional issues.
• Support incoming inspections and validate supplier‑provided components meet specifications.
• Data Collection & Analysis:
  • Collect test and production data to inform design and process improvements.
  • Conduct statistical analysis of performance and quality metrics during early production runs.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve manufacturing processes, reduce bottlenecks, and increase production yield.
• Provide feedback on design and assembly challenges to improve future product iterations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of experience in a technician role within NPI, manufacturing, or assembly environments.
• Hands‑on experience with mechanical, electromechanical, and optical system assembly and troubleshooting.
• Strong knowledge of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing) and the ability to interpret complex engineering drawings.
• Experience with manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, injection molding, and precision assembly.
• Proficiency with inspection tools like micrometers, calipers, and CMMs.
• Familiarity with creating and utilizing test rigs, fixtures, and tooling to streamline production and testing.
• Experience with first article builds, design verification, and validation processes.
• Strong understanding of statistical process control (SPC) and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Minitab).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in transitioning products from prototype to high‑rate production.
• Familiarity with MIL standards, FAA, FDA, or other regulated industry compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of optical and mechanical systems, including light sources, fiber optics, and precision alignment.
• Familiarity with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, NX) for reviewing designs and tooling.
• Background in sensitivity analysis and functional testing of system performance.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Detail‑oriented with a strong commitment to quality and precision in work.
• A proactive problem‑solver who excels in troubleshooting and resolving technical challenges.
• Team‑oriented with excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Thrives in fast‑paced, dynamic environments and adapts quickly to changing priorities.
• Motivated to contribute to projects that have a meaningful impact on national security.

US Hourly Range

$41.35 - $54.80 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’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits .

Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams

Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information.

To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind:

No Financial Requests:Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates.

• Please always verify communications:
  • Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address.
  • Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to [e-mail] .

Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach:If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links.

What to Do If You Suspect Fraud:Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately [e-mail] . Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts.

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.