Staff Systems Engineer, Software Defined Weapons Optic

Andurilindustries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 198,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to serve as the technical backbone for a multi-domain counter-UAS system. You will drive system architecture decisions spanning optics, computer vision, embedded compute, and actuation, unifying mechanical, electrical, firmware, CV, and manufacturing teams into a production-ready product.

You will own verification plans, manage risk, and ensure ruggedization and performance while balancing speed and innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Aerospace or related field.
• 8+ years of systems engineering experience, preferably in rapid product development.
• Proven track record delivering multi‑domain electro‑mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority spanning optics, CV, actuators, embedded compute, and counter-UAS integration.
• Lead cross-functional integration, transforming components into a cohesive system.
• Reimagine requirements via first-principles thinking to create robust solutions.
• Translate user needs into technical specifications outperforming legacy systems.
• Create system diagrams aligning cross‑domain teams on a single source of truth.

Skills

Systems engineering leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Prototype & integration

Verification & validation

MBSE

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related

Tools

MBSE tools Flow

Jama

Cameo

Digital Twins

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 Warfighter Systems division is building the next generation of counter-UAS engagement systems. We are developing an anti-UAV kinetic response system that fuses real-time computer vision, sensor data, and onboard processing to dramatically increase first-round effectiveness against hostile drones. By pushing advanced CV algorithms into ultra-constrained compute environments, we are delivering a decisive edge at the tactical level. This team operates at the intersection of robotics, embedded systems, optics, and counter-UAS effectors — building technology that saves lives.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We're seeking a dynamic Staff Systems Engineer who can break the mold and redefine how we develop mission-critical counter-UAS systems at the tactical edge. This project is a complex, multi-domain product — tightly coupling precision optics, computer vision, embedded compute, actuators, laser subsystems, and kinetic effector integration into a single warfighter-portable anti-UAV system. We need a systems thinker who can serve as the technical "glue" that transforms separate components into a cohesive, production-ready product.
This role is perfect for someone who thrives at the intersection of multiple technical domains, embraces end-to-end ownership, possesses a bias for action, and wants to create groundbreaking solutions rather than follow conventional playbooks. You'll operate as a driving force behind critical product decisions, balancing technical tradeoffs between accuracy, latency, power, size, weight, and ruggedization — all while maintaining system integrity under the demands of combat use.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Systems Architecture & Innovation

• Serve as the technical authority spanning optics, computer vision, electro-mechanical actuation, laser subsystems, embedded compute, and counter-UAS effector integration — translating mission-level outcomes into coherent system architectures
• Lead cross-functional integration between mechanical, electrical, firmware, computer vision, and manufacturing teams, acting as the technical glue that transforms separate components into a cohesive anti-UAV system
• Reimagine system requirements through first-principles thinking, challenging traditional counter-UAS approaches to create more robust, adaptable solutions
• Identify critical warfighter needs and translate them into technical specifications that outperform legacy counter-UAS and air defense systems
• Create systems architecture diagrams that bridge mechanical, electrical, optical, and software interfaces — aligning cross-domain teams on a single source of truth

Technical Leadership & Execution

• Own critical product decisions, balancing technical tradeoffs between accuracy, latency, power, SWaP, and ruggedization while maintaining system integrity
• Define and manage the system-level error budget — allocating contributions across optics, mechanical tolerances, calibration, CV algorithms, and actuator control to meet first-round-hit accuracy requirements against airborne threats
• Lead design reviews ensuring rigor from requirements definition through verification and validation
• Own the technical risk management process, ensuring systems meet rigorous military standards (shock, vibration, environmental, EMI) without sacrificing innovation
• Identify and eliminate bottlenecks in the development process, enabling the team to deliver breakthrough capabilities faster
• Own verification and validation plans and execution — including lab, benchtop, and live-engagement test campaigns against representative UAS threats

Documentation & Digital Transformation

• Revolutionize how we document complex systems, leveraging modern systems engineering tools (Flow, Jama, Cameo, MBSE, Digital Twins) to visualize architectures and model system performance
• Create technical narratives that communicate complex ideas clearly to engineers, leadership, program stakeholders, and end users
• Build the digital backbone that enables rapid iteration and continuous improvement of DEADSHOT and follow-on products
• Create user documentation that enables warfighters to autonomously operate and sustain the product in the field

Field Engagement

• Travel to field exercises and customer events to teach users how to operate the product and bring their feedback back to drive stronger technical designs
• Support live-engagement assessments and operational evaluations alongside end users

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or another technical discipline
• 8+ years of systems engineering experience, preferably with exposure to rapid product development environments
• Track record of delivering complex multi-domain electro-mechanical systems — ideally spanning optics, sensors, actuators, embedded compute, and software
• Experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver against aggressive schedules
• Hands-on prototyping, troubleshooting, and integration experience — comfortable moving between CAD, lab bench, and field test
• Experience owning verification and validation across the full product lifecycle, including environmental qualification (shock, vibration, thermal, sealing)
• Demonstrated willingness to challenge the status quo and drive first-principles solutions
• Strong technical intuition paired with excellent communication skills
• Comfortable making decisions with imperfect information and adapting as new data emerges
• Experience with modern systems engineering tools and methodologies (MBSE, requirements management, digital engineering)
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with counter-UAS systems, air defense, precision tracking, fire control, or kinetic effector systems
• Multi-domain product experience spanning electro-optics, lasers, actuators / servo control, or stabilized platforms
• Background in robotics or autonomous systems (e.g., Boston Dynamics, automotive AV, industrial robotics)
• Familiarity with computer vision pipelines (detection, tracking, calibration, pose estimation) and their integration into embedded platforms
• Experience with embedded compute platforms (e.g., Qualcomm Snapdragon, NVIDIA Jetson) and the SWaP tradeoffs they impose
• Experience with system error budgeting across optical, mechanical, and algorithmic contributors
• Experience bridging prototype-to-production transitions, including DFM/DFA and medium-volume manufacturing (100s–1000s of units)
• Prior experience as a technical SME or IPT lead on a complex DoD program
• Active DoD security clearance (Secret or above), or ability to obtain one

US Salary Range $132,000 — $198,000 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 (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.