Mission Systems - Payload Lead, Maritime

Anduril • Costa Mesa, CA

8h

About The Position

The Mission Systems - Payload Lead owns payload integration within Mission Systems for a maritime autonomous vehicle, integrating Anduril and third-party payloads from concept through deployment. Reporting to the Mission Systems Lead, this role owns payload interfaces, interoperability, mission development, and reference mission kits. The Lead ensures payloads satisfy customer mission requirements and integrate with the vehicle platform and autonomy stack. The role calls for technical expertise and leadership to set objectives, build cross-functional teams, and complete multidisciplinary projects, while determining the design, analysis, and testing needed for success. Travel of up to 25% is required to test sites, vendor facilities, and customer locations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.
• At least 5 years of experience in payload integration, weapons systems, or mission systems.
• Experience delivering payload integration in defense or aerospace environments.
• Demonstrated experience with sensor integration, weapons systems, or C4ISR payloads.
• Experience across the full product delivery lifecycle, including design, test, manufacturing, and deployment.
• Deep understanding of military mission sets and payload capabilities.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with maritime or undersea payload systems.
• Working knowledge of payload certification and weapons safety (MIL-STD-882E).
• Experience with autonomous systems payload integration.
• Familiarity with modular open systems architecture (MOSA).
• Prior Navy or defense operational experience.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical, electrical, and software architecture interfaces for all mission payloads.
• Drive integration of Anduril payloads and government-furnished equipment onto the platform.
• Develop and drive interoperability standards for payload modularity across vehicle configurations.
• Develop reference mission kits that package payloads with autonomy behaviors for specific mission sets.
• Define payload interface requirements and coordinate with Vehicle Systems on accommodation.
• Manage payload integration schedules and costs across prototype and production phases.
• Coordinate with third-party vendors on payload qualification and integration.
• Provide technical mentorship to engineers across payload disciplines.
• Support testing and field deployment of payload systems.
• Represent the payload subsystem in technical and customer meetings.
• Interface with the Mission Systems Lead and autonomy team on mission system integration.
• Travel up to 25% to test sites, vendor facilities, and customer locations.

Benefits

• Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full-time offers.
• Top-tier benefits for full-time employees, described as a comprehensive and competitive package available at little to no cost to employees.

What This Job Offers

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