Senior Program Manager, Carrier Integration - Active Clearance

Anduril Industries • Costa Mesa, CA

18h

About The Position

The Air Dominance and Strike Division is one of Anduril's fastest growing, most technically complex divisions. We develop and build collaborative combat aircraft, missiles, and the software that powers these autonomous weapons. We are looking for a Program Manager - Carrier Integration to support development efforts for carrier-based Group 5 autonomous platforms. This role blends program execution, internal R&D leadership, and deep carrier operations domain expertise into a single high-impact role. Success in this position hinges on three key facets: Program Execution — Partnering with program and engineering leadership to drive cost, schedule, and technical performance for carrier-based Group 5 autonomous platforms. You will own critical program workstreams, manage customer relationships, and ensure Anduril delivers on its commitments. Internal R&D Leadership — Leading internal research and development efforts that advance the platform's capabilities, reduce technical risk, and position Anduril for future growth. You will collaborate with senior leadership to shape the investment strategy, stand up and execute projects, and transition results into programs of record. Carrier Operations Domain Expertise — As the authoritative voice on carrier flight operations, flight deck integration, launch and recovery, and the operational realities that inform design decisions for autonomous platforms. You will translate real-world carrier experience into actionable engineering requirements, architectures, and operationally relevant test scenarios. This role demands high ownership, a bias toward action, and the ability to move seamlessly between strategic program direction and tactical execution. You will be a trusted partner to Anduril's engineers, autonomy developers, and mission systems teams — and a credible voice to our customers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Math, IT, CS, Business Administration or a related field (technical background preferred)
• Minimum of 10 years of combined experience in program management, naval aviation, and/or carrier-based aircraft development
• Direct military or civilian experience working in U.S. Navy carrier flight operations or carrier-based aircraft design, integration, test, or sustainment
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex, multi-million-dollar programs or major program workstreams and driving on-time, on-budget completion
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving abilities with the ability to move seamlessly between tactical execution and strategic program direction
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex technical and operational information clearly to diverse audiences including engineers, executives, and government customers
• Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance

Nice To Haves

• BS or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Experience as a Naval Aviator, Naval Flight Officer, Aircraft Handling Officer or similar carrier flight operations role — or equivalent civilian experience in carrier air wing operations
• Graduate of a military Test Pilot School (e.g., USNTPS, USAF TPS, Empire Test Pilots' School) or a Weapons and Tactics School (e.g., NAWDC, MAWTS-1)
• Experience with autonomous systems, particularly in the context of unmanned aircraft operations
• Familiarity with Anduril's Lattice platform or similar autonomous command-and-control architectures
• Demonstrated understanding of carrier suitability requirements and procedures that drive aircraft design, integration, and test
• Experience in development, integration, and/or test of U.S. Navy carrier-based manned or unmanned aircraft
• Experience across multiple phases of carrier-based aircraft development: conceptual design, preliminary design, detailed design, EMD, production, and sustainment
• Thorough understanding of and experience with deriving weapon system and aircraft requirements based on applicable Navy requirements documents and standards
• Experience and working knowledge of DoD flight clearance and airworthiness certification processes
• Experience managing internal R&D portfolios or technology investment programs
• Experience coordinating multiple internal and external teams within a complex engineering or technology-focused organization
• Works diligently to make continuous progress, fosters a high-performance culture within the team, maintains a positive attitude, is optimistic and pragmatic

Responsibilities

• Partner with program and engineering leadership for the development and deployment of Anduril's carrier-based Group 5 autonomous platforms to meet the operational needs of the U.S. Navy
• Serve as the program's resident subject matter expert on carrier flight operations, carrier suitability, deck handling, launch and recovery, and shipboard aircraft integration
• Translate operational carrier environment constraints — including EMCON conditions, flight deck procedures, launch and recovery operations — into technical requirements and autonomy architecture inputs
• Lead internal R&D investments associated with carrier-based autonomous platforms — owning scope, schedule, budget, and technical outcomes — and ensure results transition effectively into programs of record
• Develop strong, trusting relationships with customers and stakeholders, ensuring tight feedback loops that enable Anduril to shape solutions, rapidly iterate, and field capability faster
• Support requirements decomposition and trade studies with carrier operations context, enabling data-driven decisions that balance design complexity, weight, performance, cost, and schedule against operational need
• Work across IPTs including Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity, GNC, Subsystems, Survivability, Mission Systems, Manufacturing, and Test to ensure autonomous behaviors are operationally realistic, safe, and aligned with carrier air wing operations
• Lead preparation for and execution of program reviews, milestone events, and customer deliverables

Benefits

• Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package.
• Additionally, 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. For more information, Explore Our Benefits .

What This Job Offers

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