Project Engineer, AD&S

Anduril • Costa Mesa, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Anduril's Air Dominance & Strike (AD&S) Manufacturing Engineering team is seeking a Project Engineer to support the execution of Manufacturing Development Plan (MDP) and Product Development Process (PDP) stage gate deliverables across AD&S programs. This role spans both Air Strike and Air Dominance product lines — from cruise missiles and loitering munitions to autonomous aircraft — and is an excellent opportunity for a recent engineering graduate to develop deep expertise in how complex defense hardware moves from design through production. Working under the guidance of Staff and Senior-level Project Engineers, you will learn the stage gate process from the inside — helping coordinate, prepare, and track the deliverables that determine whether programs are ready to advance. You are a manufacturing engineer at heart, and this role will build your understanding of what manufacturing readiness looks like at every phase of product development. You will work with Product Program Managers, Program Managers, Chief Engineers, and Manufacturing Engineering managers and their teams to assemble review materials, track action items, and support gate content through to completion. You will also support ad-hoc, cross-functional projects as the Manufacturing Engineering representative — gaining exposure to design, quality, supply chain, and operations challenges that will accelerate your growth as an engineer. This role is built for someone who is eager to learn, comfortable working across teams, and ready to take on real responsibility from day one.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• 1-3 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, production, or a related role. Co-op, internship, or capstone project experience in a manufacturing environment counts.
• Foundational understanding of manufacturing processes and product development — you have exposure to how hardware goes from design to production, even if you haven't led it yourself.
• Strong organizational skills — ability to track multiple deliverables across programs and keep things from falling through the cracks.
• Willingness to engage cross-functionally with program management, design engineering, quality, supply chain, and operations from day one.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills — you can put together a clear slide, write a concise status update, and follow up on action items without being asked twice.
• A genuine interest in manufacturing and a drive to understand how things are actually built.
• Personal experience physically building or working on hardware (machining, assembly, soldering, 3D printing, personal projects) is a strong plus.
• Self-motivated and proactive — you take initiative, ask good questions, and close the loop on what you commit to.
• An attitude of world-class mission assurance, quality, attention to detail, and dedication.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, high-growth environment where you will be learning and contributing simultaneously.
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in engineering or a related field.
• Internship or co-op experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing.
• Exposure to stage gate processes, manufacturing readiness reviews, or product development lifecycle frameworks.
• Familiarity with AS9100 or similar quality management systems.
• Experience with project tracking tools, data analysis, or presentation development.
• Proficiency in CAD software and familiarity with manufacturing technologies across multiple disciplines (machining, composites, electronics, assembly).
• Appropriate clearance classification.

Responsibilities

• Support the execution of MDP and PDP stage gate deliverables for manufacturing engineering across AD&S programs, working under the guidance of Staff and Senior Project Engineers.
• Help coordinate with PPMs, PMs, Chief Engineers, and ME managers to gather, organize, and prepare stage gate review decks and presentations.
• Track stage gate action items, open risks, and manufacturing readiness gaps — following up with owners and reporting status to the project engineering team.
• Review ME stage gate content for completeness, flagging gaps and working with program teams to address them before reviews.
• Help coordinate across multiple programs running on different timelines, ensuring deliverables stay on track.
• Support ad-hoc, cross-functional projects as assigned — representing Manufacturing Engineering in design trades, quality investigations, supply chain discussions, and operational problem-solving.
• Build working relationships with design engineering, quality, supply chain, operations, and program management — learning how cross-functional collaboration drives results in a fast-moving environment.
• Take ownership of assigned tasks and drive them to completion, asking for help when needed but not waiting to be told what to do next.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of stage gate templates, checklists, and tracking tools.
• Spend time on the production floor and at supplier sites to build firsthand understanding of how products are manufactured.
• Travel to production sites, suppliers, and partner facilities (~20%, depending on business needs).

Benefits

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