Mechanical Engineer, Space

Anduril Industries; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 292,000 - 386,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a senior leader for Space Special Programs to design spacecraft architectures and systems, mentor engineers, and oversee integration and testing across a multidisciplinary team.

The role emphasizes hands-on prototyping, hardware integration, and close collaboration with customers to deliver operational spacecraft capabilities. US citizenship and TS clearance are required.

Qualifications

• 25+ years of industry experience designing spacecraft and spacecraft subsystems and participating in integration and operation campaigns.
• 10+ years of industry experience working with, understanding, and designing spacecraft system architectures.
• 10+ years of industry experience leading a team of engineers to implement and deliver space flight hardware.
• Knowledge of systems engineering, mechanical, electrical engineering and integration/test campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Design spacecraft and space system architectures.
• Draft and develop test plans for critical subsystems and vehicle-level testing.
• Develop interface controls for partners and customers for hardware, systems, and electrical integration of spacecraft.
• Mentor engineers and help them learn spacecraft design and test best practices.
• Support integration, testing, delivery, and operations of spacecraft and subsystems.

Skills

Spacecraft design

Systems engineering

Team leadership

Electrical engineering

Mechanical engineering

Software engineering

Test campaigns

Hands-on prototyping

Tools

Test equipment

RF testing equipment

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

In the Space Special Programs team, we build spacecraft and space systems which serve a wide variety of functions in the space architecture. At a time when space superiority can no longer be taken for granted and with space systems proliferating at an incredible rate, the Space Special Programs team provides advanced, mission critical capabilities to our customer base to be able to more effectively operate and survive within this expanding environment with limited personnel. Working across product, engineering, sales, logistics, operations, and mission success, the Space Special Programs team develops, tests, deploys, and operates new, unique, space capabilities to drive mission success in challenging operational environments.

What You’ll Do

• Help design spacecraft and space system architectures
• Build Conceptual designs of missions and payloads
• Work within a team of multidisciplinary engineers and specialists throughout the life of spacecraft design and integration process
• Manage tactical engineering efforts, interfacing between different engineering and test disciplines
• Draft and develop test plans for critical subsystems, and support vehicle level acceptance testing
• Develop interface controls for partners and customers for hardware, systems, and electrical integration of complex and unique payloads with existing and new Anduril spacecraft
• Support build and benchtop testing of new vehicle systems
• Support integration, testing, delivery, and operations of spacecraft and space subsystems
• Conduct hands‑on spacecraft testing with occasional travel
• Participate in design reviews, integration and test campaigns, launch‑site and on‑orbit operations campaigns
• Mentor engineers and help them learn the art of small spacecraft design and test – teach them your mistakes so they won’t need to repeat them
• Support critical hardware demonstrations with customers as needed

Required Qualifications

• 25+ years of industry experience designing spacecraft and spacecraft subsystems and participating in integration and operation campaigns, with a specialty in either electrical, mechanical, software, or systems engineering
• 10+ years of industry experience working with, understanding, and designing spacecraft system architectures
• 10+ years of industry experience leading a team of engineers to implement and deliver space flight hardware
• Familiarity with concepts of systems engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and practicalities of integration and test campaigns
• Demonstrated experience with conceptual design and vehicle system architectures
• Proven track record of progressing from clean sheet design to functioning hardware
• Hands‑on build and prototyping of spacecraft systems
• A passion for mission, understanding the gaps which need to be filled, and designing/architecting systems to fill those gaps which can be quickly developed, integrated, tested, and delivered for operational capability
• Knowledge of electronics troubleshooting and ability to use basic test equipment
• Excellent ability to manage a team of engineers
• A sincere commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and collaborative culture
• Ability to travel as required for test planning and execution
• Must be a US Citizen and able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing RF transponders and other small form‑factor RF equipment
• Hands‑on manufacturing and/or flight testing experience
• Experience in design engineering
• Understanding of spacecraft development lifecycles, testing campaigns, and operational campaigns

US Salary Range

$292,000—$386,000 USD

Benefits

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: 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.