Senior Propulsion Engineer, Air Vehicles (Ramjet Integration)

Hardware FYI; Costa Mesa (CA); Hybrid; USD 166,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Top-tier benefits

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking an experienced propulsion engineer to lead ramjet integration on missile platforms in California. You will design, test, and validate components and systems across the full development lifecycle, collaborating with vendors and customers.

The role requires 8+ years in propulsion for missiles or air vehicles, strong CAD skills (NX preferred), and the ability to obtain U.S. security clearance. Competitive equity and comprehensive benefits are included.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of propulsion engineering experience on tactical missiles or air vehicles (manned or unmanned).
• Proven experience with ramjets for defense or aerospace applications, including design, analysis, test and/or qualification of inlets, combustors, and nozzles for high‑Mach.
• Understanding of cycle / performance modeling, CFD, thermal-structural coupling, and high-temperature materials.
• Experience designing complex mechanical hardware using 3D CAD (NX preferred).
• Familiarity with manufacturing methods and design for manufacturing/assembly.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

Responsibilities

• Lead or key contributor in selection, architecture, and integration of ramjets on missile platforms.
• Design, fabricate, and test prototype components and control systems.
• Plan, instrument, and execute tests of ramjets.
• Coordinate with engine vendors, develop partnerships, and manage development projects.
• Lead or support hardware demonstrations with customers as needed.
• Support CAD design and detailed analysis for inlets, combustors, nozzles, structures, and engine starting.
• Travel to test sites as needed.

Skills

Propulsion engineering

Ramjets

3D CAD (NX)

Thermal-structural

CFD

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace

Tools

NX/Teamcenter

Python

MATLAB

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 Air Dominance and Strike propulsion integration team is responsible for designing and integrating advanced hardware for Group 5 air vehicles and across missile platforms. Air Dominance and Strike propulsion integration engineers own the full development lifecycle, from concept generation, to integration and flight test, ensuring high-performance, resilient, and scalable mechanical systems that meet the demands of complex, contested environments.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Serve as a lead or key contributor in the selection, architecting, and integration of ramjets on missile platforms.
• Design, fabricate, and test prototype components and control systems.
• Plan, instrument, and execute tests of ramjets.
• Coordinate with engine vendors, develop strategic partnerships, and manage development projects.
• Lead or support critical hardware demonstrations with customers as needed.
• Critical member of team supporting CAD design and detailed analysis for inlets, combustors, nozzles, support structures, engine starting.
• Travel to test sites as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of propulsion engineering experience on tactical missiles or air vehicles (manned or unmanned).
• Professional experience with ramjets for defense or aerospace applications, including design, analysis, test and/or qualification of inlets, combustors, and nozzles for high‑Mach applications.
• Understanding of fundamentals relevant to ramjets including cycle / performance modeling, CFD, thermal-structural coupling, and high-temperature materials.
• Proven experience designing complex mechanical hardware using 3D CAD (preference for NX).
• Familiarity with manufacturing methods (e.g. machining, sheet metal, 3D printing, etc.), and an understanding of design for manufacturing and assembly.
• Eligible to obtain and be able to maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in NX/Teamcenter, Python, MATLAB.
• Hands‑on experience with ramjet testing including test practices, instrumentation, and data processing.
• Previous work experience at a ramjet OEM or supplier, with a deep understanding of performance trade‑offs.
• Previous work experience with solid‑fuel ramjets (SFRJ) or liquid‑fuel ramjets (LFRJ).
• Familiarity with secondary propulsion technologies (e.g. solid rocket motors) supporting boost, transition, or multi‑mode concepts.
• Expertise in fundamentals relevant to ramjets including cycle / performance modeling, CFD, thermal-structural coupling, and high-temperature materials.

US Salary Range

$166,000

—

$220,000 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.

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