Senior Design Engineer, DFM / DFA

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer focused on DFM/DFA to design robust, manufacturable hardware across autonomous systems. You will own components from concept to prototype through high-rate production, ensuring rapid scalability and deployment.

We require 7+ years in mechanical design with DFM/DFA, expert GD&T, and proficiency in SolidWorks/NX/Creo. Eligibility for US security clearance is a must for this role, located in Costa Mesa, CA.

Qualifications

• 7+ years hands-on mechanical design with a focus on DFM and DFA.
• Proficient with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, NX, Creo) and PDM/PLM.
• Expert-level ASME Y14.5 (GD&T) for drawings and tolerance analyses.
• Experience designing for at least three areas: weldments, machining, injection molding tooling, composites, bonding.
• Experience creating clear manufacturing documentation and assembly instructions.
• Eligible to obtain/maintain US Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design for Scale: optimize DFM and DFA to maximize throughput and cost-efficiency.
• Multi-Discipline design across welding, machining, tooling, composites, bonding.
• Drawings: create/approve GD&T-compliant engineering packages.
• Production enablement: develop detailed work instructions and process sheets.
• Engineering analysis: perform tolerance stack-ups and DFMEAs.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Tooling, Quality, and Supply Chain.
• Mentor junior hardware engineers in GD&T and manufacturing best practices.

Skills

DFM/DFA design

GD&T (ASME Y14.5)

3D CAD: SolidWorks/NX/Creo

Manufacturing documentation

Security clearance eligible

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Aerospace or related field

Tools

PDM/PLM systems

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.

What You’ll Do

As a Mechanical Design Engineer focused on DFM/DFA, you will sit at the critical intersection of product design and production reality. You will be directly responsible for designing robust, mission‑ready, and highly manufacturable hardware across Anduril’s portfolio of autonomous air, land, and maritime systems. You will own components and assemblies from concept through prototype fabrication and high‑rate production, ensuring our hardware can be rapidly built, scaled, and deployed at the speed of mission need.

Key Responsibilities

• Design for Scale: Apply rigorous DFM and DFA principles across all phases of product development to maximize production throughput, reliability, and cost‑efficiency.
• Multi‑Discipline Mechanical Design: Design parts and complex assemblies leveraging a wide range of manufacturing processes:
  • Welded structures (MIG, TIG, FCAW, and automated processes)
  • Precision 3‑axis and 5‑axis CNC machining
  • Injection‑molded plastics and tooling considerations
  • Advanced composite manufacturing (layup, molding, and secondary operations)
  • Structural bonding, encapsulation, and adhesive joining
• Drawing Definition & GD&T: Author, check, and release fully defined engineering drawing packages in strict accordance with ASME Y14.5 standards.
• Production Enablement: Develop detailed, visual work instructions, process sheets, and assembly documentation that enable seamless execution on the production floor.
• Engineering Analysis: Perform comprehensive 1D/3D tolerance stack‑up analyses, design reviews, and DFMEAs to de‑risk manufacturing and assembly bottlenecks early.
• Floor Collaboration: Work shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Manufacturing, Tooling, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to troubleshoot issues, implement rapid design iterations, and streamline production.
• Mentorship & Technical Leadership: Mentor junior hardware engineers in drawing standards, GD&T application, and practical manufacturing best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of hands‑on mechanical design experience with a deep, proven focus on Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA).
• High proficiency with modern 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, NX, Creo) and associated PDM/PLM systems.
• Expert‑level understanding and practical application of ASME Y14.5 (GD&T) for engineering drawings and tolerance stack‑ups.
• Deep domain experience designing for at least three of the following:
  • Complex weldments and welded joint architecture
  • Precision machining and sheet metal
  • Tooling and part design for injection molding
  • Composite structures and manufacturing techniques
  • Structural bonding and adhesive joining
• Experience creating clear, step‑by‑step manufacturing documentation, process specifications, and assembly instructions.
• Must be eligible to obtain / maintain US Security Clearance.

US Salary Range

$146,000—$194,000 USD

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.

Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams

Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information.

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