Early Career Flight Test Engineer, Altius

Anduril Industries • Costa Mesa, CA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company focused on transforming military capabilities with advanced technology. The Test and Evaluation team is critical to ensuring product performance and reliability. This role specifically seeks a flight test engineer to evaluate software and hardware capabilities for the Altius UAS platform, a Group 2/3 autonomous vehicle used for ISR missions. The engineer will assess operational suitability and Altius's integration with other Anduril systems for complex operations.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
• Ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately.
• Ability to organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases.
• Ability to determine the appropriate approach at the task level or, with assistance, at the project level to provide solutions to a range of complex problems.
• Strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to play an active role in strengthening communication channels both within the team and externally.
• Methodical, thorough, and detail-oriented.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to perform complex tasks in one or more engineering areas.
• Willingness to learn new skills and concepts.
• Current or ability to acquire an FAA 14 CFR Part 107: Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems certification.
• Current or ability to acquire an FAA 14 CFR Part 61: Certification Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors (ground test complete is the ONLY requirement).
• Previous experience or working knowledge of National Airspace and UAS operating guidelines and regulations.
• Ability to obtain a security clearance.
• Able to work extended hours as required.
• Ability to travel as required for planning and testing.

Nice To Haves

• Strong software and documentation experience.
• Familiarity with Linux based operating systems, networking, ssh, and command line.
• 1-3 years flight test engineering or system level testing experience.
• Knowledge and experience with Group 2/3 fixed wing systems.
• Experience working DOD programs.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and report on test events for systems under test (software and/or hardware) with minimal supervision.
• Support and plan test events at designated test sites.
• Manage configuration of test-owned assets, including hardware components, payloads, and software/firmware.
• Facilitate and track maintenance for fleet assets and plan/assign asset requirements for current and future testing.
• Generate evaluation test plans and reports focusing on system functionality and the suitability of software and hardware integration.
• Plan for safety, including risk and hazard assessment and mitigation development.
• Plan for logistics, including available hardware, airspace, personnel resources, and timelines.
• Generate and execute test cards.
• Conduct pre and post-flight briefings.
• Manage test events with diverse support teams (pilots, SMEs, operations).
• Operate Altius during system evaluation testing.
• Collaborate with SMEs and cross-functional teams on development and production testing, reporting findings, and status.
• Adjudicate testing tasks, characterize issues and observations, and detail results.
• Interface daily with hardware and software engineering teams.
• Collect metrics for flight test events, including sortie information and delays.

Benefits

• Highly competitive equity grants
• Top-tier benefits for full-time employees
• Comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensuring support in health, recovery, and future needs.

What This Job Offers

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