Senior Propulsion Engineer, Air Vehicles (Turbine Engine Integration)

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 166,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Benefits package

Job summary

Anduril Industries in the United States is seeking an experienced propulsion engineer to join the Air Dominance & Strike Propulsion Integration team working on Group 5 air vehicles and missile platforms. You will lead design, testing, and integration efforts across propulsion systems and collaborate with vendors to deliver resilient, high-performance hardware.

You will design and test components, coordinate demonstrations, and provide CAD support while supporting field tests and travel as

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering.
• 8+ years propulsion engineering experience on air vehicles (manned or unmanned).
• Experience with jet engines in the 250-20,000 lbf thrust class.
• Strong understanding of jet engine fundamentals and thermodynamic cycles.
• Proven experience designing complex mechanical parts and CAD models.
• Exposure to testing of engines or powertrain components.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a lead or key contributor in selection, architecting, and integration of aircraft engines and engine controls on unmanned air vehicles.
• Design, fabricate, and test prototype components and control systems.
• Plan, instrument, and execute tests of propulsion systems.
• Coordinate with engine vendors, develop partnerships, and manage projects.
• Lead or support hardware demonstrations with customers as needed.
• CAD design support for inlet/exhaust shaping, surfaces and structures.
• Travel to test sites as needed.

Skills

Propulsion engineering

3D CAD

Jet engines

Thermodynamics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering

Tools

NX/Teamcenter

Python

MATLAB

IADs

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 & Strike Propulsion Integration team is responsible for designing and integrating advanced hardware for Group 5 air vehicles and across missile platforms. Air Dominance & Strike Propulsion 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 aircraft engines, engine components, and engine controls on unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).
• Design, fabricate, and test prototype components and control systems.
• Plan, instrument, and execute tests of aircraft propulsion systems.
• 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 for inlet / exhaust shaping, surfaces and structures.
• Travel to test sites as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering.
• 8+ years of propulsion engineering experience on air vehicles (manned or unmanned).
• Experience with jet engines in the 250-20,000 lbf thrust class.
• Strong understanding of jet engine fundamentals and thermodynamic cycles.
• Proven experience designing complex mechanical parts, structural components, and surface lofts (using 3D CAD).
• Exposure to testing of engines or powertrain components.
• Familiar with manufacturing methods (machining, sheet metal, composites, 3D printing, injection molding, etc.).
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in NX / Teamcenter, Python, MATLAB, IADs.
• Hands-on experience with jet engine testing including test practices, instrumentation, and data processing.
• Previous work experience at a jet engine OEM or supplier, with a deep understanding of engine performance trade-offs.
• Knowledge and experience working with FADEC, Engine Management Systems (EMS), or equivalent aircraft engine control systems.
• Experience procuring parts and working in a machine shop. Working knowledge of machine safety and shop safety protocols.
• Active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

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. Explore Our Benefits.