Senior UAV & Missile Configuration Architect

Anduril-1; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Top-tier benefits

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA, seeks a Senior Configuration Design Engineer for the Air Dominance & Strike hardware team. You will own the architectural configuration for Group 5 UAS and missile programs, guide engineering processes, and mentor junior engineers.

You will partner with Chief Engineers and customers to translate mission requirements into buildable aircraft architectures, lead trade studies, and ensure LO shaping, propulsion integration, and mass properties are optimized.

Qualifications

• BS in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience in conceptual or preliminary design of aerospace systems.
• Expert-level proficiency in 3D parametric CAD modeling, advanced surfacing, and lofting (Siemens NX preferred, CATIA, or Creo).
• Extensive experience leading multi-disciplinary design teams and trade studies (aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, mass properties, and systems integration).
• Deep understanding of system architecture, mission requirements, and full product development lifecycles.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with a proven ability to write technical proposals and present design solutions to leadership and customers.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end conceptual design for complex UAV and missile platforms.
• Define and mature aircraft sizing methodologies using parametric modeling and design optimization tools.
• Drive the design of Outer Mold Lines (OML) and Inner Mold Lines (IML) for downstream analysis.
• Serve as the main technical decision-maker for early-stage pursuits and customer proposals.
• Evaluate configuration alternatives for LO survivability, propulsion integration, and structural feasibility.
• Manage high-level vehicle trade studies including engine selection, control effector layout, fuel systems, weapons integration, and mass properties.
• Mentor junior configuration and design engineers, setting CAD/GD&T and design release standards.
• Interface with IPTs, suppliers, and military customers to present concepts and resolve issues.

Skills

3D CAD modeling

Systems engineering leadership

Technical proposal writing

Presentation skills

Clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Advanced degree (MS/PhD)

Tools

Siemens NX

CATIA

Creo

Job description

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA, seeks a Senior Configuration Design Engineer for the Air Dominance & Strike hardware team. You will own the architectural configuration for Group 5 UAS and missile programs, guide engineering processes, and mentor junior engineers.

You will partner with Chief Engineers and customers to translate mission requirements into buildable aircraft architectures, lead trade studies, and ensure LO shaping, propulsion integration, and mass properties are optimized.