Senior Development Test Engineer - Drones

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

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Health benefits

Top-tier benefits

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA seeks a Senior Development Test Engineer to perform hardware testing on drones, missiles, and spaceflight hardware. You will manage test campaigns, develop procedures and software, and collaborate with design engineers to resolve anomalies while maintaining high safety standards.

You will mentor junior engineers, lead test readiness reviews, and ensure test articles and instrumentation are fully vetted before execution.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a related engineering field.
• Experience on interdisciplinary technical projects.
• Experience in hardware automation and software-hardware integration.
• Strong engineering first-principles knowledge.
• BS, MS or PhD in engineering.

Responsibilities

• Execute structural, dynamic, and environmental testing on drones, missiles and spaceflight hardware.
• Plan and execute hardware test campaigns across development and qualification phases.
• Mentor junior test engineers and review procedures.
• Coordinate with responsible engineers to define test objectives and criteria.
• Lead Test Readiness Reviews with engineering teams and stakeholders.
• Communicate test status, risks and results to program leadership.
• Lead test campaigns from plan to data review and equipment design/fabrication.
• Create work instructions for technicians in fabrication and integration.
• Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition, control systems, and thermal/ mechanical test equipment.
• Automate repetitive test operations to improve efficiency and safety.

Skills

Hardware automation

Software-hardware integration

Engineering first principles

Python/ Matlab coding

Instrumentation knowledge

Education

BS/MS/PhD in engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

Machining/3D printing

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 Development Test Team designs and executes unique tests for components and subsystems on an accelerated schedule, providing diverse engineering challenges in a dynamic hands-on team.

ABOUT THE JOB

We are looking for a Senior Development Test Engineer to join our rapidly growing team in Costa Mesa, Ca. In this role, you will be responsible performing hardware testing on a variety of systems and structures. You will manage test campaigns, develop procedures, sequences, and software. This role requires operating and troubleshooting various systems, automating test operations, and collaborating with design engineers to resolve system anomalies, all while maintaining high safety standards.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Execute structural, dynamic, and environmental testing on drones, missiles and spaceflight hardware
• Plan, develop, and execute hardware test campaigns across development and qualification phases, ensuring test scope and methodology align with product requirements and program milestones
• Mentor and provide technical oversight to junior test engineers, including reviewing test procedures, guiding root cause analysis, reviewing test setup
• Coordinate cross-functionally with responsible engineers (REs) from respective programs to define test objectives, acceptance criteria, and risk prioritization for hardware builds
• Establish and lead Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) with engineering teams, ensuring test articles, instrumentation, facilities, and procedures are fully vetted before execution
• Communicate test status, risks, and results to program leadership and cross-functional stakeholders through regular briefings and written summaries
• Lead test campaigns including test plan creation, system activation, test operations, data review, and equipment design/fabrication.
• Generate work instructions to direct and instruct technicians in the fabrication and integration of test articles and equipment.
• Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems, wiring, and instrumentation, as well as thermal chambers, electrodynamics shakers, and fluid power systems
• Automate repetitive test operations to improve efficiency and safety

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of professional experience in a related engineering field
• Experience in an immersive interdisciplinary technical project (collegiate project teams or professional settings)
• Experience in hardware automation and software-hardware communication/integration
• High competence with, and fluid use of engineering first principles
• BS, MS or PhD in an engineering discipline
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities
• Must be able to perform physical efforts including standing for extended periods and lifting and carrying material or equipment up to 25 lbs unassisted

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• • Knowledge of hazardous or pressurized systems (cryogenics, hydraulics, jet fuels, and energy storage systems)
  • Familiarity with instrumentation and control components (accelerometers, load cells, thermocouples, pressure transducers, strain gauges, RTDs, and others)
  • Familiarity with industry-standard test guidance - MIL-STD-810, SMC-S-016, NASA GEVS
  • Proficiency in at least one coding language (Python, Matlab, etc)
  • Experience with 3D modeling software and PLM (Siemens NX, Teamcenter, etc)
  • Ability to integrate electronic components into mechanical designs (motors, controllers, sensors etc.)
  • Experience with machining, sheet metal, and 3D printing

US Salary Range

$146,000—$194,000 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.