Program Director, Advanced Effects

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

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans

Life and disability insurance

Generous paid time off

Professional development reimbursement

Job summary

Anduril is seeking a Program Director in Costa Mesa, California, to lead development programs within the Air Dominance and Strike Division. You will oversee complex projects, manage customer relationships with the Department of Defense, and ensure timely delivery of cutting-edge solutions. A Bachelor's in Engineering and at least 8 years of relevant experience is required. This role offers a competitive salary range between $220,000 and $292,000 and top-tier benefits, including comprehensive health plans and generous paid time off.

Qualifications

• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.
• Minimum of 8 years experience managing the development of complex technical systems.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex, multi-million-dollar projects.

Responsibilities

• Own the development and deployment of Air Dominance & Strike technologies.
• Develop strong relationships with customers in the Department of Defense.
• Monitor and manage program progress across cost, schedule and resource allocation.
• Collaborate with finance and business development teams on pricing strategies.

Skills

Systems and engineering mindset

Execution focused

Collaborative partnership

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company that is dedicated to transforming U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By hybridizing the expertise, technology, and business model of the most innovative companies of the 21st century, Anduril redesigns, builds and sells cutting‑edge military systems. Anduril’s Lattice OS is an AI‑powered operating system that converts thousands of data streams into a real‑time, 3‑D command and control center. In an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion and networking solutions to the military in months, not years.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Air Dominance and Strike Division is one of Anduril’s fastest‑growing and most technically complex divisions. We design and build collaborative combat aircraft, missiles, and the software that powers autonomous weapons. We are looking for a Program Director to lead one of Anduril’s largest development programs across the contract lifecycle from early R&D to contract capture and close. As a Program Director you will lead the development and integration of Anduril products and technologies alongside the Chief Engineer and will be directly responsible for all elements of cost and schedule to ensure successful delivery of the program.

ABOUT THE JOB

Success in this position hinges on three key facets:

1. Systems and engineering mindset – the ability to understand and assess technical concepts, identify system dependencies, interfaces, technical risks and the impact of key architectural decisions with the engineering team.
2. Execution focused – digging into the details, charting the path and owning the outcome. You will be expected to use your technical aptitude in conjunction with program management and leadership skills to deliver the best outcome for Anduril and the customer.
3. Collaborative partnership – managing customer relationships and shaping the future of the program with the government.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• In partnership with the Chief Engineer, own the development and deployment of Anduril’s Air Dominance & Strike technologies to meet the operational needs of the Department of Defense.
• Develop strong, trusting relationships with Anduril’s DOD customers, ensuring tight feedback loops that enable rapid iteration and faster fielding of solutions.
• Autonomously execute broad and/or ambiguous requirements from internal engineering, customers and third‑party corporate partners to achieve successful delivery of outcomes on multiple programs simultaneously.
• Monitor and manage program progress across cost, schedule and resource allocation, making tradeoffs that enable best‑in‑class solutions to be delivered on time and on‑budget.
• Develop and implement lightweight processes, tools and metrics for program planning, scope management, risk management and customer communication to enable rapid progress.
• Take full ownership of all work and become a trusted partner and advisor to Anduril’s engineers.
• Foster a creative, high‑performance culture within the team, proactively assess team skills versus needs, and identify personnel development or recruitment opportunities to strengthen capabilities.
• Collaborate with finance and business development teams to create novel pricing strategies for proposals that support long‑term financial and operational success.
• Collaborate with senior management to develop and refine the strategic roadmap for Anduril Air Dominance & Strike R&D investments that underpin program success.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration or a related field (technical background preferred).
• Minimum of 8 years experience managing the development of complex technical systems throughout the product lifecycle.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex, multi‑million‑dollar projects and driving on‑time, on‑budget completion.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical and problem‑solving abilities with the ability to move seamlessly between tactical and 30,000‑foot levels.
• Experience coordinating multiple internal and external teams within a complex engineering or technology‑focused organization.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.

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 work experience, education, training, critical skills and 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. Anduril offers top‑tier benefits for full‑time employees, including comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans; life and disability insurance; generous paid time off; family planning support; mental health resources; professional development reimbursement; commuter and relocation assistance where applicable.