Senior Principal Chief Engineer

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

Job summary

Anduril Industries’ Space Special Programs team develops spacecraft and space systems to support modern defense capabilities. You will help design architectures, draft mission concepts and work with a multidisciplinary team throughout the spacecraft lifecycle.

The role emphasizes leading engineers, conducting test campaigns, and coordinating complex hardware integration. A passion for space and mission success is essential, with readiness to travel as required.

Qualifications

• 25+ years of industry experience designing spacecraft and spacecraft subsystems, with integration and operation campaigns
• 10+ years designing spacecraft system architectures and spacecraft hardware
• 10+ years leading engineering teams delivering space flight hardware
• Familiarity with systems, mechanical and electrical engineering concepts and tests
• Proven track record from concept to hardware, hands-on build and prototyping space systems

Responsibilities

• Design spacecraft and space system architectures.
• Develop mission concepts and payload designs.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through lifecycles.
• Draft and develop test plans for subsystems and vehicle acceptance tests.
• Coordinate with partners for hardware and electrical integration of payloads.
• Support build, bench testing, and operations of spacecraft subsystems.
• Travel for test planning and execution when required.
• Participate in design reviews and test campaigns.
• Mentor engineers to share best practices in small spacecraft design.

Skills

Spacecraft design

Systems engineering

Space hardware integration

Technical leadership

Test planning

RF engineering

Electrical engineering

Travel readiness

US Citizenship

Security clearance

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, andoperatesnew, unique, space capabilities to drive mission success in challenging operational environments.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Help design spacecraft and space system architectures
• BuildConceptual designs ofmissions and payloads
• Work within a team of multidisciplinary engineers and specialists throughout the life ofspacecraftdesign 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-onspacecrafttesting with occasional travel
• Participate in design reviews, integration and test campaigns, launch-siteand on-orbit operations campaigns
• Mentor engineers and help them learn the art of small spacecraft design and test – teach them your mistakes so theywon’tneed to repeat them
• Support critical hardware demonstrations with customers as needed

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 25+years of industry experiencedesigning spacecraftand spacecraftsubsystemsandparticipatingin 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
• Proventrack recordof progressing from clean sheet design to functioning hardware
• Hands-on build and prototypingofspacecraftsystems
• A passion formission, understanding the gaps which need to be filled, and designing/architectingsystemsto fill those gaps which can be quicklydeveloped, integrated, tested, and delivered for operational capability
• Knowledge of electronics troubleshooting and ability to use basic test equipment
• Excellentability to manage a team of engineers
• A sincere commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and collaborative culture
• Ability to travel asrequiredfor test planning and execution
• Must bea US Citizen andable to obtain andmaintaina U.S. Top Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experiencedesigning RF transponders and other small form-factor RF equipment
• Hands-on manufacturing and/orflight testingexperience
• Experience in design engineering
• Understanding ofspacecraft development lifecycles, testing campaigns, and operational campaigns

US Salary Range

$292,000—$386,000 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.