Senior Systems Engineer - Payload Module Lead

Anduril; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to lead design, integration, verification, and validation of a payload or weapon module for the Thunder platform. You will direct a multidisciplinary team of 6–8 engineers and drive hands-on execution from requirements through test, fielding, and sustainment.

This leadership role demands system-level analysis, architecture design, interface control, and collaboration with customers and contractors.

Qualifications

• Progressive engineering experience: 9+ years with BS, 7+ with MS, or 5+ with PhD (equiv).
• Software programming or embedded systems experience (C++, MATLAB, Python, PERL).
• Experience integrating weapons, payloads, or avionics onto aircraft.
• Experience leading a small multidisciplinary engineering team (software, electrical, mechanical).
• Designing or validating safety-critical state machines and interlocks.

Responsibilities

• Lead integration, verification, and validation of a weapon/payload module on Thunder.
• Provide technical direction to a team of 6–8 engineers across disciplines.
• Develop program plans, estimates, and schedules for the module.
• Develop system and architecture designs and generate module requirements.
• Drive MIL STD 1553/1760 interfaces, mounts, wiring, cooling, and power.

Skills

Team leadership

Customer focus

Agile execution

Education

Bachelor's / Master / PhD in engineering

Tools

C++

MATLAB

Python

PERL scripting

MIL STD 1553

Datalinks

Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Maneuver Dominance team is building Thunder - an autonomous attack rotorcraft built to fight alongside crewed combat aviation to deliver overwhelming mass effects deep beyond the front lines. The team in London builds the Mission System and the autonomy that makes aircraft like Thunder work.

Autonomy is only as good as the link that carries it. Thunder is a compact airframe with weapons, sensors and radios competing for the same antenna real estate, flying low and in formation, in a spectrum that is actively contested. That is the problem you are solving.

ABOUT THE JOB

Anduril is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to lead the design, integration, verification, and validation of a specific payload or weapon module for the Thunder platform. Directly lead, or provide technical direction to, a multidisciplinary team of 6 to 8 engineers spanning software, electrical, and mechanical and structural disciplines, and drive hands on technical execution from requirements through test, fielding, and sustainment. This is a high-visibility leadership position that directly dictates how versatile and mission-effective the aircraft platform will be in the field.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead integration, verification, and validation of a specific weapon or payload module onto the Thunder platform
• Directly lead, or provide technical direction to, a team of 6 to 8 engineers across software, electrical, and mechanical and structural disciplines
• Develop program plans, estimates, and schedules for the module
• Develop system and architecture designs, perform system level analysis, and generate requirements for the module
• Troubleshoot conflicting design and development requirements
• Drive design and implementation of MIL STD 1553 and 1760 interfaces, structural mounts, and support installs (wiring, cooling, power) for the assigned module
• Own stores management system (SMS) and fire control logic specific to the module, including arm, select, and release state machines and safety interlocks
• Own safe separation analysis and testing for the module, covering trajectory clearance, jettison envelope, and captive carry and flight test support
• Run day to day agile execution for the team, including sprint planning, backlog management, and technical decision making
• Develop and maintain Interface Control Documents, Software Requirement Specifications, Performance Specifications, and review test plans and procedures
• Develop and present technical material for reviews and meetings
• Support lab, ground, and flight test events
• Coordinate with the Payloads Lead on cross module interface consistency and shared standards (MOSA/WOSA)
• Coordinate and interface directly with customers, contractors, and external payload and weapon supplier engineering teams on module specific integration issues
• Drive development of module specific test fixtures, bench setups, and SITL/HITL simulation environments
• Support ongoing operation of the fielded weapon system for the module
• Support proposals and white papers for future efforts or capabilities related to the module
• Provide hands on technical mentorship and direction to team engineers across disciplines
• Travel up to 25% to test sites and integration facilities

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in engineering, computer science, or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution, with progressive engineering experience as follows: nine or more years with a bachelor's degree, seven or more years with a master's degree, or five or more years with a PhD; equivalent engineering experience may substitute for education
• Software programming or embedded systems experience (familiarity with C++, MATLAB, Python, PERL scripting, etc.)
• Familiarity with air to air weapons, MIL STD 1553, and logical Interface Control Documents
• Experience integrating weapons, payloads, or avionics onto aircraft
• Experience with weapon or tactical datalinks
• Experience directly leading or technically directing a small multidisciplinary engineering team (software, electrical, mechanical)
• Experience designing or validating safety critical state machines and interlock logic (arm and fire sequencing, consent based release)
• Must be customer focused with the ability to formulat