Principal Materials Engineer - Polymers and Plastics

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 Materials Team is responsible for the development and optimization of materials for our revolutionary products.

ABOUT THE JOB

We are looking for a Materials Engineer in Costa Mesa, Ca, that has a solid foundation in materials science and engineering first principles, and an intrinsic drive to build on that foundation. If you are someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, and is eager to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world applications, then this role is for you.

 

 

WHAT YOU’LL DO

  • Strategically select and evaluate polymeric materials for diverse applications.
  • Assist in the development and testing of new materials to meet engineering and performance specifications.
  • Conduct comprehensive material characterizations using techniques specific to polymers and adhesives, such as rheological testing, thermal analysis (DSC, TGA), spectroscopy (FTIR), and mechanical testing (tensile, compression, creep).
  • Design robust test plans and protocols for the substantiation of material processes, analyze data, and ensure material reliability.
  • Drive supplier development and qualification efforts, establishing robust a supply chain for injection molding plastics meeting Anduril’s high standards for performance and reliability.
  • Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and engineering teams to address material-related challenges, ensuring the manufacturability and reliability of products.
  • Maintain cutting-edge knowledge in polymer science and technology, incorporating the latest research and advancements into Anduril’s material strategies.
  • Document all phases of material development, from experimental setup to detailed analysis of results, and effectively communicate findings to the team and broader organization.
  • Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the development of the Materials Engineering team’s overall expertise in polymers and adhesives.
  • Use first principles physics as a basis for every decision.


REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s or higher in Materials Engineering, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
  • A minimum of 10 years of industry experience focusing on the application of polymers, adhesives, or other organic materials in product development.
  • Proven experience with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles, particularly as they pertain to polymer and adhesive materials, ensuring that materials selection and application processes align with manufacturing capabilities and constraints.
  • Demonstrated ability to support engineering design teams, providing materials expertise that informs the creation of engineering drawings and specifications. This includes proficiency in interpreting and advising on material tolerances, finishes, and processing techniques that can be accurately depicted in engineering documentation.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of organic material properties, processing, and characterization techniques, with the ability to translate this knowledge into practical applications and manufacturing processes.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply engineering principles to novel applications and to troubleshoot materials-related challenges in design and production settings.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with experience in effectively conveying material requirements and justifications to diverse stakeholders, including design engineers, manufacturing teams, and executive leadership.
  • Quick learner, able to adapt to new technologies and challenges in a fast-paced environment.
  • Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret security clearance as needed.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Expertise in the selection, development and validation of injection molding plastics.
  • Demonstrated ownership of a comprehensive material characterization and development effort.
  • Familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD) software and materials simulation tools.
  • Working knowledge of manufacturing, design, and process substantiation.

US Salary Range

$220,000 - $292,000 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/. 

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Anduril Industries? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...

Are you any of the following “protected individual(s)” as defined in the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)?:

Select...

Are you authorized to work in the United States?

Select...
Select...

Have you previously applied to a position at Anduril?

Select...
Select...

Do you currently, or have you in the last 5 years, worked for the US government (e.g., Congressional staffer, member of the military, state, or federal agencies) and had oversight or similar responsibility over Anduril’s business or other interests?   

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Anduril Industries’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.