Senior Propulsion Engineer

Anduril • Santa Ana, CA

2d • $167,000 - $222,000

About The Position

Anduril’s Maritime Division is transforming American sea power and scaling production through Arsenal-2, a software-defined shipyard being built in Baltimore County, Maryland, and its 160,000-square-foot Proto-Factory in Orange County, California. The Proto-Factory is developing advanced manufacturing methods, digital workflows, and quality systems to support future shipyard production and next-generation autonomous underwater vehicles.

The Senior Propulsion Engineer will own propulsion design for a maritime autonomous vehicle, reporting to the Endurance Systems Lead. The role leads thruster design and selection, propulsion integration, efficiency trade-offs, and analysis and testing to meet vehicle performance requirements. It works collaboratively across teams and drives propulsion work to completion, applying experience from multidisciplinary vehicle programs with tight performance margins. Travel of up to 25% to test sites and vendor facilities is required.

The U.S. salary range is $167,000–$222,000. The range is base salary only; actual offers may vary based on experience, education or training, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full-time offers. Anduril also describes its benefits package as comprehensive and competitive, available at little to no cost to employees; specific benefits are not listed in this posting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture, Ocean Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent.
• At least 5 years of experience in marine propulsion or vehicle performance analysis.
• Familiarity with electric thruster systems or marine propulsion drives.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with AUV or UUV propulsion systems.
• Working knowledge of propeller or thruster design and optimization.
• Experience with propulsion testing.
• Experience using CFD for propeller or thruster analysis.
• Familiarity with acoustic signature management.
• Experience in defense or maritime robotics.

Responsibilities

• Own propulsion system design, including thruster selection, integration, and performance.
• Define propulsion power requirements and work with Energy Systems on the power budget.
• Lead trade studies on speed, endurance, noise, and propulsive efficiency.
• Work with the Senior Hydrodynamics Engineer to match the thruster to vehicle drag and account for hull and propulsor interaction.
• Coordinate with the thruster team and thruster vendors.
• Plan and run propulsion testing, and support prototype testing, including sea trials.
• Contribute to design-for-manufacturability reviews.
• Travel up to 25% to test sites and vendor facilities.

Benefits

• Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full-time offers.
• Comprehensive, competitive benefits package described as available at little to no cost to employees; specific benefits are not listed.

What This Job Offers

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