R&D Engineering Technician

Anduril Industries; New Jersey; On-site; USD 74,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking an experienced R&D Engineering Technician to collaborate with development and test engineers, fabricating high-quality electro-mechanical assemblies for infrared optical systems used on airborne, maritime, and space platforms.

You will own internal prototyping resources, develop fixtures, and manage R&D space, while complying with strict cleanroom protocols and high-precision assembly standards.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of electro-mechanical technician experience with high-precision micro-assemblies, vacuum systems, or wafer-handling equipment.
• Rapid prototyping ownership from concept to completion—sourcing components, assembling, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Electrical fundamentals: Ohm’s law, voltage drop calculations, wiring gauge sizing.
• Har­­ness fabrication: building, routing, and troubleshooting custom wiring harnesses and power cables with precise soldering and crimping.
• Process documentation: document assembly workflows, redline drawings, and draft SOPs from a technician’s view.
• Comfort wearing cleanroom attire (gown, mask, gloves) and following ESD-control protocols.
• Preferred: defense/aerospace or near-infrared/optical industry experience.
• Experience in certified cleanrooms (Class 1,000+) and ISO/5S lean practices.
• Soldering certifications (IPC J-STD-001 / IPC-A-610) are a strong plus.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with development and test engineers to build and test infrared optical systems for airborne, maritime and space platforms.
• Fabricate and assemble high-quality, high-reliability electro-mechanical assemblies.
• Develop and implement integration and test fixtures; set up and use existing test equipment, monitor results and report findings.
• Own internal prototyping resources, including mechanical and electrical fabrication equipment.
• Manage R&D space from facilities and organizational perspectives.
• Travel to external laboratories and test sites as needed.

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

Anduril’s Imaging business line designs and builds state-of-the-art imaging systems, deployed to tackle the most significant security challenges of America and its allies. Advanced Infrared Solutions operates out of our Hudson, NH location, focused on the design and manufacturing of high-performance cooled infrared cameras and Integrated Dewar Cooler Assemblies (IDCAs) that encompass Imaging products. Advanced Infrared Solutions supplies these critical components both internally to Imaging products, and externally as a merchant supplier to the broader defense, space, and commercial industrial base.

About the Job

As the R&D Engineering Technician, you will collaborate closely with development and test engineers to create and evaluate innovative optical systems for various platforms, including airborne, maritime, and space applications. You will be responsible for fabricating high-quality electro-mechanical assemblies and managing the rapid prototyping process, ensuring all projects are executed efficiently and effectively. Additionally, your expertise in troubleshooting and assembly will be crucial as you oversee internal prototyping resources and support external testing initiatives. The Anduril Imaging business line is developing infrared camera systems at the highest priority level designated by the Department of War. This role will be directly working with the engineering team and be crucial to the success of these development efforts.

What You’ll Do:

• Work closely with development and test engineers to build and test new infrared optical systems for airborne, maritime and space platforms
• Fabricate and assemble high quality, high reliability and electro-mechanical assemblies.
• Develop and implement integration and test fixtures; setup and use existing test equipment, monitor, and report the results.
• Own internal prototyping resources, including mechanical and electrical fabrication equipment
• Manage R+D space from a facilities and organizational standpoint
• Travel to external laboratories and test sites as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience as an electro-mechanical technician working on high-precision micro-assemblies, vacuum systems, or wafer-handling equipment.
• Rapid Prototyping Ownership: Proven ability to manage R&D builds from concept to completion with minimal oversight—including sourcing components, assembling, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Electrical Fundamentals: Strong working knowledge of basic electrical principles (e.g., Ohm’s Law, calculating voltage drop, sizing wire gauges based on current/amperage).
• Harness & Cable Fabrication: Hands-on experience building, routing, and troubleshooting custom wiring harnesses and power cables, including precision soldering, pin crimping, and connector assembly.
• Process Documentation: Ability to document assembly workflows, redline engineering drawings, and draft initial Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) from a technician’s viewpoint.
• Work Environment: Comfortable wearing full cleanroom attire (gown, mask, gloves) and following strict ESD-control protocols.
• Preferred (Nice to Have):
• Background in the Defense, Aerospace, or Near-Infrared (NIR) / Optical industries.
• Experience operating within certified cleanrooms (Class 1,000 / 100 or better).
• Familiarity with ISO quality management systems and 5S lean manufacturing methodologies.
• Soldering certifications (e.g., IPC J-STD-001 or IPC-A-610) are a strong plus.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with the alignment and characterization of optical systems
• NPI (new product introduction) and ability to train / lead others to scale up
• Experience with test and measurement equipment (Instron, CMM, optical comparator, etc.)
• Familiarity with Mechanical and Electrical Software tools (Solidworks, Altium) and scripting/automation languages (Matlab, Python, Labview) as GUI.

US Salary Range

$74,000 — $99,000 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.