Senior Software Engineer, Robotics

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

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

Generous time off and wellness leave

Relocation assistance

Mental health resources

Commuter benefits

Job summary

A defense technology company is seeking a Senior Software Engineer specializing in robotics to develop cutting-edge autonomous systems. Candidates should have over 5 years of software development experience and proficiency in C++ or Rust. This role involves collaborative problem-solving and optimizations across robotics platforms, with the opportunity to work on products that shape military capabilities. Relocation assistance and competitive benefits are included.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional software development experience.
• Strong proficiency in C++ or Rust.
• Proven experience troubleshooting remotely deployed software systems.
• Hands-on experience working with electrical and mechanical systems.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain core robotics libraries for Anduril robotics platforms.
• Lead the development of features for products like Software-in-the-Loop simulators.
• Optimize performance of existing products such as route planning for the Ghost helicopter.
• Collaborate with hardware teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues in deployed systems.

Skills

C++

Rust

Linux development

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Computer Science, or related field

Tools

Python

Embedded systems

Job description

Senior Software Engineer, Robotics – Anduril Industries

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities using advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril changes how military systems are designed, built, and sold. Our family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI‑powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a real‑time, 3‑D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, we are committed to bringing cutting‑edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

About the Team

At Anduril’s Tactical Reconnaissance & Strike (TRS) team, we push the boundaries of aerial drone technology. We drive groundbreaking products like Ghost, Anvil, Bolt, and Altius from concept to fully operational systems that reshape defense and security. Our team tackles the entire spectrum of small‑drone development (Groups 1–3), from the drones themselves to the critical equipment needed for testing, deployment, and operation. In TRS, you’ll be at the forefront of innovation, working with state‑of‑the‑art technology and pushing the limits of what autonomous systems can achieve.

About the Job

As a Robotics Software Engineer on our TRS team, you will be at the forefront of cutting‑edge autonomous systems development. You’ll tackle diverse challenges in autonomy, systems integration, robotics, and networking, making critical engineering decisions that directly impact mission success. Your role will be pivotal in ensuring Anduril’s products work seamlessly together to achieve a variety of crucial outcomes. You’ll develop innovative solutions for complex robotics problems, balance pragmatic engineering trade‑offs with mission‑critical requirements, and collaborate across teams to integrate software with hardware systems. Contributing to the entire product lifecycle, from concept to deployment, you’ll rapidly prototype and iterate on software solutions.

Must be eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance. This position will be located at our headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA (relocation benefits provided).

What You’ll Do

• Develop and maintain core robotics libraries, including frame transformations, targeting, and guidance systems, that will be utilized across all Anduril robotics platforms
• Lead the development and implementation of major features for our products, such as designing and building Software‑in‑the‑Loop simulators for advanced systems like Anvil
• Optimize performance of existing products, including tasks like improving battery consumption and route planning for our Ghost helicopter
• Collaborate closely with hardware and manufacturing teams throughout the product development lifecycle, providing timely feedback to influence and enhance final hardware designs
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues in deployed systems, ensuring optimal performance in the field
• Contribute to the design and implementation of multi‑agent coordination systems for UAVs
• Participate in the full software development lifecycle, from concept and design through testing and deployment
• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends, recommending and implementing innovations to improve our products and processes

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field
• 5+ years of professional software development experience
• Strong proficiency in C++ or Rust, with experience in Linux development environments
• Demonstrated expertise in data structures, algorithms, concurrency, and code optimization
• Proven experience troubleshooting and analyzing remotely deployed software systems
• Hands‑on experience working with and testing electrical and mechanical systems
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams, including hardware and manufacturing
• Strong problem‑solving skills and a "Whatever It Takes" mindset
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
• Willingness to relocate to Costa Mesa, CA

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering)
• Expertise in one or more advanced robotics areas: motion planning, perception, localization, mapping, or controls
• Experience with performance optimization and metrics for complex robotic systems
• Proficiency in Python, Rust, and/or Go, in addition to C++
• Hands‑on experience programming for embedded systems and physical devices
• Background in multi‑agent coordination, particularly with UAVs
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex frame transformation problems (e.g., target localization, multi‑degree‑of‑freedom robotic arms)
• Experience with real‑time operating systems and distributed computing
• Familiarity with machine learning and AI applications in robotics
• Knowledge of sensor fusion techniques and implementation
• Understanding of aerodynamics and flight dynamics as applied to UAV systems
• Experience with simulation environments for robotics testing and development
• Track record of contributions to open‑source robotics projects or relevant publications

Salary Range

$191,000 – $253,000 USD (base salary only, excluding equity and additional benefits)

Healthcare Benefits

• US roles: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you.
• UK & AUS roles: We cover full cost of medical insurance premiums for you and your dependents.
• IE roles: We offer an annual contribution toward your private health insurance for you and your dependents.

Additional Benefits

• Income protection: Anduril covers life and disability insurance for all employees.
• Generous time off: Highly competitive PTO plans with a holiday hiatus in December. Caregiver & Wellness Leave available.
• Family planning & parenting support: Coverage for fertility treatments, adoption, and gestational carriers.
• Mental health resources: Access free resources 24/7, including therapy and life coaching. Additional work‑life services available.
• Professional development: Annual reimbursement for professional development.
• Commuter benefits: Company‑funded commuter benefits based on your region.
• Relocation assistance: Available depending on role eligibility.

Retirement Savings Plan

• US roles: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after‑tax (mega back‑door Roth) options.
• UK & IE roles: Pension plan with employer match.
• AUS roles: Superannuation plan.

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about specific compensation and benefits during the hiring process.

To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.