Staff Electric Propulsion Engineer (Omen)

Anduril Industries•Costa Mesa, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Anduril is seeking a Lead for the electric propulsion system to join the Omen team at our Costa Mesa HQ. Omen is Anduril’s hover-to-cruise autonomous air vehicle (AAV) that packs the endurance, payload, and mission flexibility of much larger airplanes into a novel runway-independent Group 3 platform. Omen can operate from ship decks, beaches, or remote island clearings, providing true runway independence and freedom of maneuver across defense and civilian domains. Omen is the first tail-sitter aircraft with a mass-production contract, with an order of 50 systems representing a decisive investment that anchors production and accelerates the development of future systems. You will work on new aircraft development in a lean, high-ownership culture where you directly shape the product and operate at a velocity to fly new designs within months, not years. In this role, you will lead the design, development, and integration of Omen's advanced electric propulsion system. You will own the electric powertrain architecture from concept through production, optimizing for the unique demands of a tail-sitter platform including VTOL operations, efficient cruise flight, and charging. As the electric propulsion Lead, you will work closely with program leadership and cross-functional teammates to deliver a high-performance, reliable solution which seamlessly integrates with the rotor systems, powerplant, and cooling systems. You will own the propeller drive system as well as electric components of the on-board power generation, including battery, power management, and power conversion. You will drive component selection, manage supplier relationships, lead testing and validation efforts, and ensure the electric propulsion systems meet performance and integration requirements. This is a hands-on high ownership role where you will tackle hard technical problems, be the expert, and play a critical role in bringing a groundbreaking aircraft platform to operational reality. Join our dynamic team and help us build the next generation of autonomous flight systems.

Requirements

High-ownership and a bias toward action – if you see a problem, you want to fix it
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineer, Robotics, Physics, or related technical discipline
12+ professional years or be recognized as a seasoned expert with significant influence in their field
Experience in engineering leadership and project execution for aerospace, automotive, or defense sectors with focus on electric or hybrid propulsion
In depth knowledge of electric motors, generators, power electronics, battery systems, thermal management, and energy storage architectures
Hands-on experience with propulsion system development, testing, and integration for aerospace platforms
Strong project management skills, with experience using tools like JIRA and Confluence, and knowledge of Agile and Waterfall methodologies
Exceptional communication and stakeholder management abilities, capable of engaging effectively with both technical teams and non-technical partners
Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
Travel to test sites and vendors as needed

Nice To Haves

Direct experience developing hybrid-electric or electric propulsion systems for aircraft, rotorcraft, eVTOL, or UAS platforms
Proven track record leading propulsion systems through full qualification campaigns from early development through flight test and production
Experience with propulsion system modeling and simulation tools
Familiarity with aviation environmental and EMI standards (MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, DO-160, or equivalent) and qualification campaigns for flight hardware
Experience with Formula SAE, Baja SAE, Design Build Fly, or similar competitive engineering programs demonstrating hands-on vehicle integration experience

Responsibilities

Own the design of electric propulsion systems including motors, battery, inverters, and high voltage power management
Lead electric performance analysis, voltage and thermal modeling, and energy optimization studies to meet mission requirements for electrical loads.
Lead the development and execution of test plans for electric propulsion subsystems and combined power generation, including ground test stands, HILs, and flight test, building up to system verification to ensure compliance with project goals and industry standards
Define and validate technical performance measures including power, efficiency, thermal limits, and fault tolerance across all operating modes
Engage suppliers and create detailed technical specifications and interface control documents for electric propulsion components and assemblies as required
Collaborate with other teams for solutions on system packaging, structural/thermal interfaces, and thrust/power control architectures
Manage development schedules and technical risks in coordination with program management

Benefits

Healthcare Benefits
US Roles: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you.
UK & AUS Roles: We cover full cost of medical insurance premiums for you and your dependents.
IE Roles: We offer an annual contribution toward your private health insurance for you and your dependents.
Additional Benefits
Income Protection : Anduril covers life and disability insurance for all employees.
Generous time off : Highly competitive PTO plans with a holiday hiatus in December.
Caregiver & Wellness Leave is available to care for family members, bond with a new baby, or address your own medical needs.
Family Planning & Parenting Support: Coverage for fertility treatments (e.g., IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carriers, along with resources to support you and your partner from planning to parenting.
Mental Health Resources: Access free mental health resources 24/7, including therapy and life coaching.
Additional work-life services, such as legal and financial support, are also available.
Professional Development: Annual reimbursement for professional development
Commuter Benefits: Company-funded commuter benefits based on your region.
Relocation Assistance: Available depending on role eligibility.
Retirement Savings Plan
US Roles: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after-tax (mega backdoor Roth) options.
UK & IE Roles: Pension plan with employer match.
AUS Roles: Superannuation plan.