Deputy Chief Engineer, Altius

Anduril Industries • Costa Mesa, CA

116d • $182,000 - $273,000

About The Position

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. We are seeking a Deputy Chief Engineer to oversee and lead specific Altius products and projects. The Altius family of systems includes advanced uncrewed aircraft that serve as the premier long-range, launched-effect platform for the U.S. DoD, Federal Agencies, and International Partners. The Altius platform is incredibly versatile, capable of launching from ground, air, or sea, and executing missions such as standoff ISR&T, kinetic engagement, RF decoy, SIGINT, comms relay, and cyber warfare. Altius-M variants deliver industry-leading loitering time and range while leveraging autonomy for collaborative teaming and coordinated strikes. As a Deputy Chief Engineer, you will work closely with the Altius Chief Engineer and have technical authority for Altius products, responsible for driving technical decisions across system design, development, and integration. You will work closely with engineering teams, program managers, and business leaders to ensure mission success while balancing performance, cost, and schedule. This role requires a deep technical foundation, exceptional leadership skills, and a proven ability to execute complex, multidisciplinary programs.

Requirements

• Deep expertise in unmanned aircraft, autonomous systems, and defense technologies, with a strong preference for experience in mission-critical DoD programs.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale air vehicle programs from concept to deployment, with an emphasis on technical decision-making and execution.
• Extensive experience in systems and vehicle design, including architecture, optimization, and risk management.
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary engineering, with an emphasis on software, electrical, or mechanical systems.
• Ability to analyze and execute complex design trade-offs to achieve mission objectives.
• Experience mentoring engineering teams and driving alignment around a common technical vision.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Software Engineering, or equivalent experience (advanced degrees preferred).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance.
• Willingness to work onsite at our location in Midtown Atlanta (relocation provided).

Responsibilities

• Drive the systems engineering processes for Altius, ensuring alignment with mission and customer requirements.
• Lead system architecture and design efforts, making key technical decisions to balance performance, cost, and schedule constraints.
• Oversee the technical execution of air vehicle systems design, fabrication, testing, and productization.
• Define and execute technical trade studies, collaborating with subject matter experts to deliver optimal solutions for current and future DoD capability gaps.
• Manage detailed subsystem and system-level design, including requirements development, optimization, risk management, and validation.
• Ensure the successful integration and testing of Altius systems, from prototypes to production and deployment.
• Guide the development of technical documentation, including BOMs, design packages, and manufacturing inputs.
• Propose and oversee internal R&D projects to sustain and advance product capabilities.
• Mentor and guide engineering teams, fostering technical excellence and collaboration across disciplines.
• Represent Anduril as the technical lead in engagements with customers, partners, and stakeholders.

Benefits

• Platinum Healthcare Benefits: For U.S. roles, we offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you.
• For UK roles, Private Medical Insurance (PMI): Anduril will cover the full cost of the insurance premium for an employee and dependents.
• For AUS roles, Private health plan through Bupa: Coverage is fully subsidized by Anduril.
• Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Anduril, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in December, and highly competitive PTO plans.
• 16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition.
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting.
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well.
• A professional development stipend is available to all Andurilians.
• Daily Meals and Provisions: For many of our offices this means breakfast, lunch and fully stocked micro-kitchens.
• Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
• 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). (US roles only)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees