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Senior Manager of Flight Test Engineering, Mission Autonmy

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.

Role Overview

The Senior Manager of Flight Test Engineering will provide strategic leadership by overseeing both the Flight Test Operations Team and Flight Test Engineering Team at Anduril Industries for Mission Autonomy. This role requires strong technical expertise in software and hardware integration, extensive experience testing unmanned aerial vehicles, and a proven track record leading complex flight test campaigns. The ideal candidate will drive operational excellence across test activities, ensure regulatory compliance, and optimize cross-functional collaboration to deliver mission-critical autonomous systems that transform defense capabilities.

What You’ll Do

  • Lead both the Flight Test Operations Team and Flight Test Engineering Team, providing technical guidance and mentorship
  • Establish and refine flight test methodologies for evaluating mission autonomy capabilities using surrogate vehicles in fast-paced test environments
  • Develop long-term capacity planning for flight test capabilities to support future product initiatives and company growth
  • Drive cross-functional collaboration with Product, Engineering, and Program Management to align test strategies with product development roadmaps
  • Cultivate a strong organizational foundation focused on safety standards, regulatory adherence, and performance
  • Ensure compliance with FAA, FCC, and other regulatory requirements throughout all flight test operations
  • Collaborate with government entities and private companies to execute complex test events that meet all stakeholder requirements
  • Manage resource allocation, budgeting, and scheduling for flight test campaigns across multiple programs
  • Create and implement standardized processes, metrics, and KPIs to measure test effectiveness and drive continuous improvement

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, robotics, or related technical field
  • 10+ years of experience in testing unmanned aerial systems with at least 5 years in a leadership position
  • Proven expertise in both software and hardware integration for complex autonomous systems
  • Demonstrated success leading flight test operations as a Test Director for mission-critical platforms
  • Strong understanding of aviation regulations and compliance requirements for unmanned systems
  • Experience managing technical teams with diverse skill sets across operations and engineering
  • Exceptional problem-solving abilities for troubleshooting complex hardware and software issues
  • Outstanding communication skills for conveying technical concepts to stakeholders at all levels
  • Flexibility to adapt to dynamic schedules and willingness to travel to test sites as required
  • Current FAA Part 107 certification or ability to obtain one

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in a relevant technical or management field
  • Knowledge of mesh networking for system-to-system communications
  • Experience with test automation frameworks for complex system integration
  • Background in defense or aerospace sectors, particularly with autonomous systems
  • Proficiency in Linux and scripting languages for test environment configuration
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret SCI security clearance

US Salary Range

$166,000 - $220,000 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: 

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. 

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process. 

To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/. 

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