Staff Manufacturing Engineer, Mechanical Actuation 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 plans

Professional development reimbursement

Mental health resources

Job summary

A defense technology company is seeking a Staff Manufacturing Engineer in Costa Mesa to lead the development and production of high-performance mechanical actuators. The ideal candidate will have over 12 years of experience in manufacturing or design engineering, focusing on precision mechanical components. Key responsibilities include overseeing new product initiatives, optimizing manufacturing processes, and providing technical guidance to teams. The role offers a competitive salary range between $166,000 and $220,000 and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in manufacturing or design engineering experience.
• Proven track record driving technical initiatives.
• Hands-on experience with precision manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Drive NPI initiatives from prototype to production.
• Interface with Design Engineering for DFM feedback.
• Architect tooling for actuator assembly and testing.

Skills

Technical problem-solving

Manufacturing process optimization

Mentoring engineers

Design for Manufacturability

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering

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.

About The Team

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.

US Salary Range

$166,000—$220,000 USD

Healthcare Benefits

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:

• 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.

Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams

Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information.

• No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates.
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  • Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to [e-mail].
• Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links.
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To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.