Senior Payload Integration Engineer, Modular UAS

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 191,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Top-tier benefits

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a Staff Payload Integration Engineer for the Omen Group 3 program to own mechanical integration of payloads into a modular airframe. You will design mounts, interfaces, and swap mechanisms to enable rapid field reconfiguration of missions.

You will work at the intersection of structures, manufacturing, and systems engineering to deliver lightweight, robust payload bays with good serviceability.

Qualifications

• BS or higher in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline.
• 12+ years of experience in mechanical design and integration on aerospace or defense platforms.
• Strong understanding of load paths, structural joints, and fastened connections in mixed composite and metallic assemblies.
• Proficiency in CAD software (NX preferred; SolidWorks or equivalent acceptable).
• Ability to perform structural sizing via hand calculations and classical methods.
• Working knowledge of FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, or NASTRAN).
• Hands-on hardware integration experience with assemblies.
• Familiarity with GD&T and interface control documentation.
• Strong collaboration across structures, manufacturing, and avionics teams.
• High ownership and bias toward action.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical integration of mission payloads into the Omen Group 3 airframe, from early concept trades through flight-ready hardware.
• Design and iterate on primary and secondary structural interfaces that allow rapid payload swaps in the field.
• Develop a modular payload architecture accommodating various sensor types and weights while preserving CG and aerodynamics.
• Define ICDs covering mounting datums, fastener patterns, envelope constraints, access provisions, and load paths.
• Collaborate with structures, mechanical, and payload mechatronics teams to meet thermal, vibration, and alignment requirements.
• Balance payload capacity, mass, swap time, and production cost with clear trade recommendations to leadership.
• Feed lessons learned back into ICDs, calibration procedures, and production documentation.

Skills

Mechanical design

Payload integration

CAD (NX/SolidWorks)

FEA tools

GD&T

Hardware mounting

Aerospace

Team collaboration

Hands-on assembly

Design for manufacturability

Education

BS in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

NX CAD

SolidWorks

ANSYS/Abaqus/NASTRAN

Job description

Anduril Industries is seeking a Staff Payload Integration Engineer for the Omen Group 3 program to own mechanical integration of payloads into a modular airframe. You will design mounts, interfaces, and swap mechanisms to enable rapid field reconfiguration of missions.

You will work at the intersection of structures, manufacturing, and systems engineering to deliver lightweight, robust payload bays with good serviceability.