Staff Manufacturing Engineer, Actuators

Anduril; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries in California seeks a Staff Manufacturing Engineer for Mechanical Actuation Systems to lead end-to-end manufacturing development of high-performance actuators for sea and air platforms. You will own DFM/DFA, MBOM, MES/ERP integration, tooling, testing, and documentation, mentoring engineers, and partnering with Design Engineering to ensure manufacturability.

This hands-on role requires deep expertise in precision assembly, advanced manufacturing processes, and a passion for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace engineering or related field.
• 12+ years of progressive manufacturing or design engineering experience with precision mechanical components.
• Proven track record of leading technical initiatives and mentoring engineers.
• Experience delivering complex electromechanical hardware in fast-paced settings.
• Experience establishing MBOM creation, MES integration, and RCCA for actuator production.
• Proficient with Siemens NX for CAD and Teamcenter for PLM.
• Hands-on experience manufacturing hardware (precision machining, additive manufacturing, assembly).
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end manufacturing development and production of high-performance mechanical actuators.
• Interface with Design Engineering, providing DFM/DFA feedback for actuator components and systems.
• Design and oversee tooling, jigs, fixturing for precision actuator assembly, alignment, and testing.
• Establish and optimize robust process flows for complex actuator assemblies with precision operations.
• Define MBOM and Routings within MES and ERP for actuator sub-assemblies and final builds.
• Develop and standardize manufacturing documentation, work instructions, and QA plans.
• Design and implement test methodologies and equipment for actuator performance and environmental qualification.
• Provide hands-on mentorship to engineers and technicians during prototyping and production validation.

Skills

DFM/DFA knowledge

MBOM creation

MES integration

Root Cause Corrective Action

Actuator hardware design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace engineering or related field

Tools

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

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.

Staff Manufacturing Engineer, Mechanical Actuation Systems

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.

SUMMARY - ABOUT THE TEAM / JOB

Anduril’s Manufacturing team seeks a Staff Manufacturing Engineer. The Core Tech Manufacturing Team rapidly iterates and builds cutting-edge defense hardware, specializing in advanced mechanical actuators and motion control systems for Anduril’s sea and air vehicle platforms. This role encompasses the full manufacturing value-chain: Design for Manufacturability (DFM), specialized tooling, process optimization for precision mechanical and electromechanical assembly, vendor management, quality planning, and comprehensive documentation for high-reliability hardware.

Ideal candidates demonstrate holistic ownership in solving complex technical challenges with creative, physical solutions, personally manufactured or overseen, within fast-paced, resource-limited settings.

As Staff Manufacturing Engineer, Mechanical Actuation Systems, you will strategically drive the end-to-end manufacturing development and production of high-performance mechanical actuators, providing expert technical guidance and strategic insight to ensure robust operation and reliability in challenging sea and air vehicle environments. This role requires exceptional technical expertise and strategic problem-solving skills in DFM for complex mechanical and electromechanical systems, advanced precision assembly techniques, and rigorous test development for critical motion control components. If you are a hands‑on technical expert who thrives on solving the toughest engineering challenges, delivering innovative manufacturing solutions, and elevating technical standards across the organization, then this role is for you.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Serve as a primary technical driver for NPI initiatives, transitioning precision mechanical actuators and electromechanical systems from prototype to scalable production, architecting solutions for manufacturability, performance, and supply chain robustness.
• Act as the principal manufacturing interface with Design Engineering, providing critical and influential feedback for Design For Manufacturability and Assembly (DFM/DFA) specifically for actuator components and integrated systems.
• Architect, design, and oversee implementation of novel tooling, jigs, and fixturing for precision actuator assembly, alignment, and testing, setting best practices.
• Establish and continuously optimize robust, repeatable process flows for complex actuator assemblies, encompassing intricate operations like bearing installation, gear train assembly, sensor integration, and sealing, setting benchmarks for manufacturing excellence.
• Strategically define, implement, and optimize Manufacturing Bill of Materials (MBOM) and Routings within MES and ERP systems, specifically for actuator sub-assemblies and final product builds.
• Drive the development and standardization of comprehensive manufacturing documentation, including detailed work instructions, quality control plans, inspection requirements, and environmental test procedures for high-reliability actuators.
• Design, validate, and strategically implement robust test methodologies and equipment for critical actuator performance characteristics (e.g., torque, speed, precision) and environmental qualification (e.g., vibration, thermal, ingress protection).
• Provide deep hands‑on technical guidance and mentorship to engineers and technicians during prototype builds, troubleshooting, and production validation of actuator hardware, fostering technical excellence.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 12+ years of progressive manufacturing or design engineering experience, specifically with precision mechanical components, electromechanical hardware, or motion control systems.
• Proven track record of driving significant technical initiatives, providing expert guidance, and mentoring engineers.
• Demonstrated expertise in delivering complex electromechanical hardware (actuators, robotics) in fast-paced, resource-constrained environments.
• Deep expertise in establishing and optimizing manufacturing environments, including MBOM creation, MES integration, and Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) for actuator production.
• Proficient with Siemens NX for CAD and Teamcenter for PLM software.
• Hands‑on experience physically manufacturing hardware (e.g., precision machining, additive manufacturing, electromechanical assembly, fabrication). Personal projects in robotics or control systems a plus.
• Strong interest in manufacturing high-performance defense hardware and a commitment to continuous technical mastery.
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Hands‑on experience with control systems, servo motors, or high-performance electromechanical components in aerospace, marine, or robotics.
• Experience with harsh environment manufacturing considerations (e.g., sealing, corrosion prevention, vibration isolation, lubrication).
• Familiarity with aerospace (e.g., DO-160, MIL-STD-810) or marine environmental testing and qualification standards.
• Software scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for automation, data analysis, or testbed control.
• Experience with advanced manufacturing processes like precision grinding, gear cutting, or specialized surface treatments for critical components.

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.