Principal Engineer, Rapid Integration & Test

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 220,000 - 292,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a Principal Engineer to join the Rapid Integration and Test (RIT) team within Test & Evaluation. You’ll own the team’s most complex integration and instrumentation work on large test assets, guiding technical direction as a hands-on individual contributor.

You’ll lead build, integration, instrumentation, and modification efforts (fixtures, power/avionics, wiring, sensor payloads), with travel as needed and a path toward security clearance where required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Typically 15+ years of relevant experience; recognized as a seasoned expert with significant influence in the field.
• Hands-on UxS engineering experience—build, integration, and modification (fixtures, materials, power/avionics).
• Experience taking complex hardware/software systems from concept through flight test.
• In-depth knowledge of Pixhawk autopilot systems and the ArduPilot stack.
• Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping, 3D printing, laser cutting, and composite materials.
• Practical experience with small UAS/drones; NAS regulations understanding.
• Ability to set technical direction and mentor a team on larger platform work.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; self-motivated; travels as needed and eligible for clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical execution of complex integration and instrumentation efforts on the team’s assets.
• Perform hands-on build, integration, instrumentation, and modification: fixtures, materials, power and avionics, wiring.
• Own the technical approach for the team’s most complex integration and instrumentation work.
• Serve as a technical authority across Business Lines and partner programs — influencing decisions on complex integrations.
• Set technical direction and mentor the team taking on larger, more complex platforms.
• Develop and execute streamlined test plans, and ensure adherence to baseline safety plans.
• Cut through red tape while adhering to safety and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in weekly stand-ups and provide SITREPs to leadership.

Skills

UxS engineering

Hardware integration

Flight test experience

Communication skills

Self-motivated

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Advanced degree (preferred)

Tools

Pixhawk autopilot

ArduPilot stack

3D printing

Laser cutting

Composite materials

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 role

Anduril is seeking a Principal Engineer to serve as a recognized technical expert and senior individual contributor on the Rapid Integration and Test (RIT) team, within Test & Evaluation. You’ll own the team’s most complex integration and instrumentation work on larger, more capable test assets and platforms — accountable for results that shape RIT’s technical direction. This is an individual-contributor role centered on hands‑on engineering and technical leadership, not people management.

What you’ll do

• Lead the technical execution of complex integration and instrumentation efforts on the team’s larger, more capable test assets and platforms, from concept through functional capability.
• Perform hands‑on build, integration, instrumentation, and modification: fixtures, materials, power and avionics work, wiring and networking, and sensor and payload integration.
• Own the technical approach for the team’s most complex integration and instrumentation work, and be accountable for results that shape RIT’s technical direction in that area.
• Serve as a recognized technical authority across Business Lines and partner programs — influencing decisions on complex integrations and contributing to cross‑functional initiatives.
• Set technical direction and, as part of that work, mentor the team as it takes on larger, more complex platforms.
• Develop and execute streamlined test plans, and ensure adherence to baseline safety plans.
• Cut through red tape while adhering to safety and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in weekly stand‑ups and provide Situation Reports (SITREPs) to leadership.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Typically 15+ years of relevant experience; recognized as a seasoned expert with significant influence in the field.
• Deep hands‑on UxS engineering expertise — build, integration, and modification (fixtures, materials, power/avionics), beyond integration‑to‑running.
• Experience taking complex hardware/software systems from concept through flight test.
• In‑depth knowledge of Pixhawk autopilot systems and the ArduPilot stack.
• Hands‑on experience with rapid prototyping, 3D printing, laser cutting, and composite materials.
• Practical experience with small UAS/drones; understanding of the National Airspace System and UAS regulations.
• Ability to set technical direction and mentor a team taking on larger, more complex platform work.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; self‑motivated; works independently and collaboratively.
• Willingness to travel and flexibility for extended hours.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.
• In this role, you will be subject to pre‑employment and randomized substance screening, as required by the Company.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience integrating, instrumenting, or modifying complex platforms and test assets.
• Advanced degree in engineering, robotics, computer science, or a related field.
• Hands‑on experience with RC helicopters or UAVs — piloting, maintenance, troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with rotary‑wing aerodynamics and flight control systems.
• Autonomy/robotics programming (Python, C++, ROS); FAA Part 107.

US Salary Range

$220,000—$292,000 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.