Chief Engineer, Advanced Air Platforms (Fury)

Costa Mesa, California, United States

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Air Dominance & Strike (AD&S) Chief Engineering Team is the technical and strategic vanguard for our most critical programs. We are not just building products; we are architecting the future of airpower. This team is a driving force behind the technical execution and strategic vision, responsible for conceiving product development roadmaps and guiding multi-disciplinary teams to deliver effectively. We foster an innovative ecosystem that transforms ambitious concepts into deployable, battlefield-ready systems. As a Chief Engineer, you will be instrumental in shaping this vision and ensuring its successful realization.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is more than a leadership role; it's an opportunity to leave an indelible mark on defense technology. As the Chief Engineer for Fury Programs, you will serve as the principal technical authority and strategic orchestrator for a flagship unmanned aerial system. Building on established design and test heritage, your mission will be to guide this pivotal platform through its critical transition to mature production and operational deployment, while simultaneously spearheading new development initiatives.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

  • Execute: Provide overarching technical and programmatic leadership for the end-to-end lifecycle of air vehicle and mission systems, from initial design through fabrication, rigorous testing, productization, and operational deployment.
  • Shape: Lead strategic trades and conceptual design exploration, collaborating closely with technical Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and Business Development teams to identify and deliver innovative solutions that address current and future gaps in warfighter capability.
  • Architect & Optimize: Drive the detailed design of the system and its subsystems, managing stringent requirements, optimizing sub-system trades, and proactively mitigating risks to ensure peak performance, adherence to schedules, cost efficiency, and critical design parameters.
  • Ensure Airworthiness: Guide your engineering teams in achieving and maintaining compliance with all necessary airworthiness certifications, ensuring uncompromising safety and reliability.
  • Accelerate Production: Oversee and coordinate the fabrication of prototype and low-rate production articles, and orchestrate comprehensive subsystem and system-level test campaigns.
  • Operationalize Impact: Support remotely deployed operations of your systems, gathering critical feedback and ensuring seamless integration into real-world scenarios.
  • Strategic Stewardship: Partner with senior leadership to forecast and secure adequate resources, empowering your teams to achieve ambitious objectives.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Deep, demonstrated understanding of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) at and above Group 3 classification.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Software Engineering, or equivalent practical experience in a highly relevant technical field.
  • Extensive experience in a senior leadership role, guiding air vehicle programs from initial concept through rigorous testing and successful customer delivery.
  • Track record of driving strategic technical direction within competitive landscapes, expertly solving complex system optimization challenges under tight constraints.
  • Demonstrated ability to consistently deliver critical functional capabilities while meticulously aligning technical objectives with overarching programmatic outcomes.
  • A history of fostering strong internal and external partnerships, acting as a catalyst for cross-functional success.
  • A profound understanding of the "why" behind vehicle and systems design, driven by a desire to solve real-world problems for the warfighter.
  • Significant experience working on mission-critical Department of Defense (DOD) systems, understanding the unique demands and operational environments.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • A deep personal connection to aviation, evidenced by an FAA pilot's license, Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license, or experience with experimental aircraft/homebuilding.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate innovative designs from concept sketches to successful flight.
  • Specific and extensive unmanned aircraft development experience.
  • Strong hands-on technical skills – both professionally and through personal projects – embodying Anduril's builder culture.

 

US Salary Range

$254,000 - $336,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. 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.

 

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