Staff Manufacturing Engineer, Intelligence Systems

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

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

Generous PTO with family leave

Professional Development reimbursement

Relocation Assistance

Job summary

A leading defense technology company in Costa Mesa, CA seeks a Staff Manufacturing Engineer to lead manufacturing process development for cutting-edge defense hardware. The ideal candidate will have over 12 years of experience, a background in manufacturing engineering, and a current U.S. Secret security clearance. Responsibilities include owning all manufacturing steps, collaborating with teams, and optimizing processes. You will benefit from competitive salary, comprehensive healthcare, generous PTO, professional development reimbursement, and retirement savings options.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in manufacturing process development.
• Demonstrated expertise in creating detailed work instructions.
• Strong communication skills to work effectively across teams.

Responsibilities

• Own manufacturing across all steps of the process.
• Develop tooling solutions and process flows.
• Work with contract manufacturers for production.

Skills

Manufacturing Process Development

Lean Manufacturing Principles

CAD Software Proficiency

Cross-Functional Team Collaboration

Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Statistical Process Control (SPC)

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

Anduril Intelligence Systems is seeking a Staff Manufacturing Engineer to join our team and lead the manufacturing process development for our products. The Manufacturing Team is responsible for rapidly iterating and building cutting‑edge defense hardware, including static equipment, moving ground equipment, and complex vehicles. This responsibility includes everything in the manufacturing value‑chain, including, but not limited to, Design for Manufacturability, tool design & selection, process creation & optimization, vendor sourcing & interaction, quality planning, and work documentation associated with the hardware.

What You'll Do

• Own manufacturing of Anduril’s intelligence systems across all manufacturing steps
• Provide Design for manufacturability and assembly feedback
• Develop novel tooling solutions for fabrication and assembly
• Develop process flows, breaking down large, complex assemblies into sub‑assemblies and processes and building out their production lines
• Evaluate and disposition non‑conformances of hardware
• Write documentation required for successfully manufacturing their hardware at scale, such as work instructions, quality plans, inspection requirements, etc.
• Iterate on assembly processes to incorporate lessons learned
• Work with contract manufacturers across various disciplines (PCBA fab, metallic manufacturing, assembly, etc.) to develop repeatable, sustained processes for quick‑turn development as well as at‑scale production
• Work with technicians and other engineers hands‑on, building prototype hardware
• Contribute to end‑customer hardware mechanical or electrical design, including interconnects, board fabrication and inspection, etc.
• Travel to suppliers to do initial sourcing work, solve ongoing production issues, and implement quality procedures

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
• 12+ years of experience in manufacturing process development, preferably in a high‑reliability industry
• Demonstrated expertise in creating clear, detailed work instructions and manufacturing process documentation
• Experience optimizing manual assembly operations and establishing standardized work
• Proven ability to analyze and improve manufacturing processes using lean manufacturing principles
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills with ability to implement effective solutions quicklyA genuine interest in manufacturing and thirst for learning
• Proficiency with CAD software for creating assembly documentation and tooling design
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively in cross‑functional teams
• Experience with manufacturing execution systems and digital work instructions
• Familiarity with Statistical Process Control (SPC) and capability studies
• Knowledge of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) principles
• Currently possesses an active U.S. Secret security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in defense, aerospace, or other high‑reliability manufacturing environments
• Harness & PCBA fabrication experience including prior work with or setup/ modification/ monitoring SMT processes
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification
• Software scripting experience in any language

Salary Range

$166,000—$220,000 USD

Healthcare Benefits

Anduril offers top‑tier benefits for full‑time employees, including:

• 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 is available to care for family members, bond with a new baby, or address your own medical needs.
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Coverage for fertility treatments (e.g., IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carriers, along with resources to support you and your partner from planning to parenting.
• Mental Health Resources: Access free mental health resources 24/7, including therapy and life coaching. Additional work‑life services, such as legal and financial support, are also 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 backdoor Roth) options.
• UK & IE Roles: Pension plan with employer match.
• AUS Roles: Superannuation plan.