UAV Operator, Bolt

Anduril Industries, Inc.; Costa Mesa, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 113,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries, Inc. is seeking a Technical Operations Engineer for the Tactical Recon & Strike team in Costa Mesa, CA.

The role bridges product engineering and deployed operations, focusing on unmanned aerial vehicle programs and field sustainment in challenging environments. You will support flight operations, field maintenance, and customer demonstrations while driving operational plans and incident investigations.

Qualifications

• Experience solving complex problems at hardware/software/network interface.
• Strong mechanical aptitude for troubleshooting critical components.
• Knowledge of flight operations, aircraft systems and sensors.
• Willingness to travel up to 80% for field work and deployments.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain U.S. security clearance.
• Ability to obtain/maintain 14 CFR Part 107 certification.
• Independent worker who can also collaborate with teams.
• Experience with field deployments in austere environments.

Responsibilities

• Support military aviation projects by executing flight operations, field maintenance and customer training.
• Resolve hardware, software and networking issues in unstructured settings to reach resolution.
• Act as SME during events, advising on operational employment and best practices.
• Report field issue status to internal and customer teams.
• Develop and implement operational and logistical plans for events.
• Maintain hardware and software support plans.
• Assist in event planning and resource allocation with stakeholders informed.
• Conduct RCAs for air systems and implement preventive measures.
• Lead post-incident reviews and improvements.

Skills

Problem solving

Mechanical aptitude

Flight operations knowledge

Willing to travel

Security clearance eligible

14 CFR Part 107

Independent / team work

Interfaces hardware/software/network

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace/CS/mechanical

Tools

Python

MATLAB

NixOS

Rust

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

The Tactical Recon & Strike (TRS) team at Anduril develops small aerial drones (Group 1-3) along with all the necessary equipment for testing, deployment, and operation. The team transforms products like Ghost, Anvil, Altius, and Bolt from initial concepts into operational systems. We work closely with specialized teams to tackle some of our customers' most complex challenges. Currently, we are seeking a technical operations engineer for the Bolt program where you will leverage your operational and technical expertise to shape and deploy a solution of maximum effectiveness and reliability. Your scope will include standing up forward-deployed operations in austere environments, ensuring the successful combat employment of Anduril products, and shaping the long-term sustainment of these products. In addition, you will be a core participant in customer demonstrations and customer trainings, and test events closer to home.

About The Job

As a member of the Technical Operations team for TRS, you will play a critical role in bridging product engineering and deployed operations. You will be involved in unmanned air vehicle development programs, using your technical and operational expertise to deliver reliable solutions in challenging, remote environments. The Technical Operations team also play essential role in shaping the field sustainment of these products through various test and evaluation events, customer demonstrations, and deployments.

What You’ll Do

• Support military aviation projects by executing flight operations, conducting field maintenance, providing customer field support and training
• Tackle complex issues related to hardware, software, and networking in unstructured situations, driving them to resolution
• Drive events as the SME of the product, advising customers on operational employment and best practices
• Communicate field issue status to internal and customer teams, keeping them informed.
• Support the development and implementation of comprehensive operational and logistical plans for various events
• Maintain support plans for hardware and software
• Assist in event planning and resource allocation, keeping key stakeholders informed about Technical Operations requirements
• Incident response root-cause analyses (RCAs) for air systems in the field
• Conduct post-incident reviews and implement preventive measures

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience of strong problem solving in unstructured environments at the interface of hardware, software, and networking.
• Strong mechanical aptitude to troubleshoot and repair critical site product components and infrastructure.
• Demonstrated understanding of flight operations, aircraft systems, and sensors
• Willingness to work with energetic material (warheads).
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently or collaboratively in a team.
• Willingness to travel up to 80%
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret/Secret security clearance
• Must be able to obtain and maintain 14 CFR Part 107
• This position is based in Costa Mesa, CA, and is not eligible for remote or hybrid work

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in aerospace engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, or related field
• Experience with weapon systems for manned aircraft, UAS, or missiles
• Experience with munitions live fire testing or munitions handling
• Experience with VTOL quad copter air systems
• Demonstrated coding experience in Python, MATLAB, or similar programming languages (NixOS and Rust preferred)
• Background in military deployments with Special Operations Forces, or to hazard zones.

US Salary Range

$113,000 - $155,000 USD

Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including: 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 .

As set forth in Anduril Industries’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.