Staff Mechanical Engineer, Omen

Anduril; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 191,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare Benefits

Income protection

Generous time off

Wellness leave

Retirement Savings Plan

Job summary

A defense technology company is seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer in Costa Mesa. This role involves driving the mechanical design of autonomous air vehicles, ensuring system performance and conducting design reviews. Candidates should have 12+ years in engineering, a degree in mechanical engineering, and proficiency in CAD software. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package and a salary range of $191,000 — $253,000 USD.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in a technical engineering role required.
• Strong knowledge of engineering principles and composite materials.
• Proficiency in CAD software, particularly in complex tooling design.

Responsibilities

• Drive mechanical design from concept to low rate production.
• Define technical requirements and propose solutions.
• Conduct design reviews and prototype hardware test plans.

Skills

CAD software proficiency

Mechanical design and analysis

Composite materials knowledge

Fabrication skills

Project leadership

Education

BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NX CAD

Job description

Overview

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 is seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer to join the Omen Team at our Costa Mesa HQ. Omen is Anduril’s hover-to-cruise autonomous air vehicle (AAV) that packs the endurance, payload, and mission flexibility of much larger airplanes into a novel runway-independent Group 3 platform. Omen can operate from ship decks, beaches, or remote island clearings, providing true runway independence and freedom of maneuver across defense and civilian domains. Omen is the first tail-sitter aircraft with a mass-production contract, with an order of 50 systems representing a decisive investment that anchors production and accelerates the development of future systems. You will work on new aircraft development in a lean, high-ownership culture where you directly shape the product and operate at a velocity to fly new designs within months, not years.

About the Job

You will work closely with the Omen program leadership and a wide spectrum of cross-departments as part of a team focused on solving hard problems and changing the industry forever. In this role you will be responsible for designing and supporting the integration of various subsystems across Omen, supporting testing efforts, and ensuring overall system performance meets the required specifications and standards. Join our dynamic team and help us build the next generation of autonomous flight systems.

What You’ll Do

• Own and drive the mechanical design of a new air vehicle, overseeing the process from initial concept to low rate production.
• Lead technical efforts to define requirements, propose possible solutions, and establish a methodology for evaluating and verifying mechanical systems.
• Work in close partnership with other disciplines to ensure the electrical, software, and mechanical systems collectively form a reliable, flexible, cost-effective system.
• Spearhead design reviews, conduct analysis, visit vendors, prototype and implement hardware test plans.
• Actively contribute to the enhancement of team tools, templates, processes, and standards.
• Cultivate a vibrant, positive, dedicated, high-energy, educational, and enjoyable community environment.
• Balance operational needs across vehicle subsystems while optimizing for development speed, mass, manufacturability, and cost.
• Support critical hardware demonstrations with customers as needed.
• Travel to test sites and vendors as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in an immersive technical project (collegiate project teams or professional settings).
• A minimum of 12+ years in a technical engineering role in a professional setting.
• Strong technical knowledge in core engineering principles, fundamental mechanics of composite materials, design, analysis, testing, and fabrication.
• Deep understanding of load paths, design practices, and hand calculations to design robust structurally efficient assemblies.
• Strong proficiency in CAD software (Any platform, but NX preferred) with specific emphasis on complex fixturing and tooling design.
• Hands-on experience supporting assembly fixturing and tooling full life cycle development through design, procurement, build, and implementation.
• Expertise with high-performance airframe manufacturing and assembly processes, including composite and metallic part machining, locating, fixturing, fastening, joining, fuel sealing, and integration from piece part to completed airframe.
• BS or MS in mechanical engineering, or equivalent work experience.
• Demonstrated hands-on fabrication skills.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in NX/Teamcenter.
• Experience with clean sheet aircraft configuration.
• Broad experience in leading tooling and manufacturing of composite and metallic airframes and parts.
• Experience in systems integration during airframe assembly.
• Experience in metrology verification methods and equipment used for aircraft assembly fixturing and part fabrication.
• Demonstrated passion for aviation, aerospace, or unmanned systems through hands-on projects, certifications, or hobbies.
• Outstanding leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with running structural development testing.
• Experience with Formula SAE, Baja SAE, Design Build Fly, etc.

Compensation and Benefits

US Salary Range: 191,000 — 253,000 USD

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 work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

• Healthcare Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you. We cover full cost of medical insurance premiums for certain regions.
• Additional Benefits: Income protection, generous time off, caregiver and wellness leave, family planning and parenting support, mental health resources, professional development, commuter benefits, relocation assistance.
• Retirement Savings Plan: US: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after-tax options; UK & IE: Pension with employer match; AUS: Superannuation.

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about compensation and benefits during the hiring process.

Data Privacy

To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.

Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams

Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. Be aware of phishing and fraudulent schemes impersonating Anduril representatives. Do not provide payments or sensitive information, and verify communications originate from an @anduril.com address or clearly identified agency partners.