Chief Engineer, Next Generation ISR

Anduril • Costa Mesa, CA

4d

About The Position

The Air Dominance and Strike (AD&S) Chief Engineering Team is the technical authority for our most critical programs. They are responsible for owning the technical baseline, leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams through rigorous development and flight test and delivering revolutionary airborne systems that meet the mission. They are the ultimate problem-solvers, driving technical execution from architecture to operational demonstration. Anduril is looking for strong technical leaders to spearhead the development of new capabilities for new customers. You’ll own the technical development from concept refinement through detailed design, build, and flight test of new aircraft concepts. These projects will require you to leverage your technical expertise and leadership skills to set objectives, build a team, and produce real products on a rapid timeline. The ability to leverage your intuition and prior experience in programmatic level decision making will play a key component in making sure the right design, analysis, and test steps are completed to ensure success while carefully balancing risk and execution speed.

Requirements

• Experience as a Chief Engineer, Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead, or senior technical leader on a Low-Observable ISR and/or strike platform.
• Deep, hands-on experience leading a multi-disciplinary team through at least one major phase of aircraft EMD (e.g., detailed design, prototype build, or flight test).
• Proven track record of taking a complex aircraft system from design into build and successful flight testing.
• Strong technical foundation across multiple core aircraft disciplines (e.g., aerodynamics, structures, GNC, propulsion, systems integration), with an emphasis on exquisite survivability and mission systems integration.
• Strong understanding of the "why" behind Vehicle and Systems design.
• Experience working on mission-critical DoD or advanced development aircraft programs.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or a related engineering field.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with developmental flight test, including test planning, risk management, and data analysis.
• Direct experience leading the prototype build of a UAS at Group 3 or above.
• Prior experience with DOW technology development organizations (e.g., DARPA, AFRL) on advanced flight programs.
• Background in a "Skunk Works," "Phantom Works," or fast-paced startup environment focused on rapid hardware prototyping.
• Experience with a wide range of manufacturing processes, including additive manufacturing, advanced composites, and automated assembly.
• A "player-coach" leadership style with a willingness to be deeply involved in the day-to-day build.
• An active Top Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead Technical Execution: Own the technical baseline and lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team (aerodynamics, structures, GNC, propulsion, avionics, software) through detailed design, system integration, and verification.
• Oversee Prototype Build & Integration: Coordinate the fabrication and assembly of prototype and development articles, resolving engineering challenges that arise during the build process.
• Drive the Test Campaign: Lead the engineering team in planning and executing a comprehensive test program, including ground test, SIL/HIL integration, and developmental flight test, to validate performance and expand the operational envelope.
• Manage System Design & Architecture: Guide the team through critical design trades, sub-system optimization, and interface management to ensure a cohesive and high-performance air vehicle architecture.
• Ensure Airworthiness & Safety: Serve as the technical authority for system safety and partner with test teams to develop the data and artifacts required to achieve military flight releases.
• Problem Solve & Troubleshoot: Act as the lead technical problem-solver, driving root cause analysis and implementing effective solutions for issues discovered during integration and testing.
• Prepare for Production: Partner with the manufacturing engineering team to ensure the design is production-ready (DFM/DFA) and support a clean transition to production.
• Support deployed flight test and demonstration activities at customer and test sites.

Benefits

• Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior