Prototype Manufacturing Engineer: Mechanical & Fluid

Anduril-1; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries seeks a Prototype Manufacturing Engineer to lead first builds across mechanical, structural, thermal, and fluid subsystems for AD&S programs. You will create MVP work instructions, craft preliminary BOMs, and provide direct manufacturing feedback to design teams.

This role requires hands-on hardware experience, strong problem solving, and the ability to adapt across programs. You will collaborate with DFx, SME engineers, and technicians to move from incomplete drawings to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a related field.
• 5+ years in manufacturing engineering, prototype/development, or NPI.
• Experience executing first builds or first-article production of hardware with evolving inputs.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings, interpret GD&T, and work from 3D models.
• Experience writing work instructions, assembly procedures, or process documentation.
• Willingness to travel 15–20%.

Responsibilities

• Execute first builds of mechanical, structural, thermal, and fluid system hardware across AD&S programs from incomplete design inputs.
• Develop MVP work instructions and preliminary BOM structures.
• Provide structured design feedback to engineers on buildability and repeatability.
• Document lessons learned for DFx, DFM/DFx reviews, and design trade studies.
• Build and support Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) units and integration test articles.
• Identify and resolve shop-floor manufacturing issues in real time during first builds.
• Develop prototype tooling, fixtures, and assembly aids for first builds.
• Collaborate with SME and quality teams to validate process assumptions.
• Assist in transitioning hardware from prototype to early production.

Skills

First builds experience

Reading drawings

GD&T

Strong communication

Cross-program flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering (or related)

Tools

NX CAD

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

Anduril Industries seeks a Prototype Manufacturing Engineer to lead first builds across mechanical, structural, thermal, and fluid subsystems for AD&S programs. You will create MVP work instructions, craft preliminary BOMs, and provide direct manufacturing feedback to design teams.

This role requires hands-on hardware experience, strong problem solving, and the ability to adapt across programs. You will collaborate with DFx, SME engineers, and technicians to move from incomplete drawings to