Principal Propulsion Engineer, Air Vehicles (Turbine Engine Integration)

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 253,000 - 336,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Top-tier benefits

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a senior propulsion engineer to lead the design, integration, and testing of aircraft propulsion systems for unmanned and manned air vehicles. You will drive engine selection, coordinate with vendors, and validate performance through rigorous testing.

Expect thermodynamic modeling, roadmap influence, and collaboration with executives and government customers. Active clearance eligibility and occasional travel are part of the role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum 15+ years propulsion engineering on air vehicles (manned or unmanned).
• Experience with jet engines in the 250–20,000 lbf thrust class.
• Thermodynamic modeling and engine OEM design influence.
• Chief Engineer on a major propulsion program or equivalent leadership.
• Experience selecting propulsion suppliers and managing OEM relationships.
• Propulsion test program design and troubleshooting at system level.
• Able to advise executives and mentor engineers.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead or key contribute to selecting, architecting, and integrating engines and components for UAVs.
• Design, fabricate, and test prototype propulsion components and control systems.
• Plan, instrument, and execute propulsion system tests.
• Coordinate with engine vendors, forge partnerships, manage development projects.
• Lead or support hardware demonstrations with customers when needed.
• Support CAD design for inlet/exhaust shaping, surfaces and structures.

Skills

Propulsion engineering

UAV propulsion

Systems integration

Leadership

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering

Tools

NX/Teamcenter

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

The Air Dominance & Strike Propulsion Integration team is responsible for designing and integrating advanced hardware for Group 5 air vehicles and across missile platforms. Air Dominance & Strike Propulsion Engineers own the full development lifecycle, from concept generation, to integration and flight test, ensuring high-performance, resilient, and scalable mechanical systems that meet the demands of complex, contested environments.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Serve as a lead or key contributor in the selection, architecting, and integration of aircraft engines, engine components, and engine controls on unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).
• Design, fabricate, and test prototype components and control systems.
• Plan, instrument, and execute tests of aircraft propulsion systems.
• Coordinate with engine vendors, develop strategic partnerships, and manage development projects.
• Lead or support critical hardware demonstrations with customers as needed.
• Critical member of team supporting CAD design for inlet / exhaust shaping, surfaces and structures.
• Travel to test sites as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering.
• 15+ years of propulsion engineering experience on air vehicles (manned or unmanned).
• Professional experience with jet engines in the 250-20,000 lbf thrust class.
• Mastery of engine cycle decks and thermodynamic modeling; ability to influence engine OEM design decisions to match vehicle requirements.
• Served as the Chief Engineer or ultimate technical authority on a major propulsion program, defining technology roadmaps and architectural baselines.
• Experience identifying and selecting strategic propulsion suppliers, managing critical OEM relationships, and establishing qualified supply chains.
• Experience defining comprehensive propulsion test programs (including static / ground off wing testing, qualification, acceptance, flight-test readiness) and troubleshooting system level anomalies.
• Experience advising executive leadership on technical risks, representing the company to key customers / government agencies, and mentoring mid-to-senior level engineers.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in NX / Teamcenter, Python, MATLAB, IADs.
• Hands-on experience with jet engine testing including test practices, instrumentation, and data processing.
• Previous work experience at a jet engine OEM or supplier, with a deep understanding of engine performance trade-offs.
• Knowledge and experience working with FADEC, Engine Management Systems (EMS), or equivalent aircraft engine control systems.
• Experience procuring parts and working in a machine shop. Working knowledge of machine safety and shop safety protocols.
• Active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

US Salary Range

$253,000—$336,000 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.

Data Privacy

To view Anduril’s candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.

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.