Senior Development Test Engineer - Drones

Anduril-1; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA seeks a Senior Development Test Engineer to perform hardware testing on diverse systems and structures. You will manage test campaigns, develop procedures, and collaborate with design engineers to resolve anomalies while upholding stringent safety standards.

Responsibilities include leading test campaigns, mentoring junior engineers, coordinating with responsible engineers, and ensuring readiness reviews before execution.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional engineering experience.
• Experience on interdisciplinary technical projects.
• Experience in hardware automation and software–hardware integration.
• BS/MS/PhD in engineering.
• US person for access to export-controlled information.
• Ability to perform physical tasks including lifting up to 25 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Execute structural, dynamic, and environmental testing on drones, missiles, and spaceflight hardware.
• Plan, develop, and execute hardware test campaigns across development and qualification phases.
• Mentor junior test engineers and review test procedures.
• Coordinate with REs to define test objectives and acceptance criteria.
• Lead Test Readiness Reviews ensuring all articles and instrumentation are vetted.
• Report test status and risks to program leadership.
• Lead test campaigns including plan, activation, operations, data review, and fabrication.
• Create work instructions for technicians on test articles and equipment.
• Operate data acquisition and control systems and related hardware.
• Automate repetitive test operations to improve efficiency and safety.

Skills

5+ years exp

Interdisciplinary proj

Hardware automation

Engineering first principles

Engineering degree

US person

Physical lifting

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

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

TheDevelopment 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:

Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including: For more information, Explore Our Benefits .

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