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Salary: USD 191,000 - 253,000 / annual
Anduril Industries, a defense technology company, is seeking a Chief Engineer for Conventional ISR to lead the Air Dominance and Strike (AD&S) program. You will serve as the technical authority for critical airborne systems, owning the technical baseline and leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams through rigorous development, integration, and flight test. This role spans the full lifecycle from concept refinement through detailed design, prototype build, system integration, and operational demonstration.
Key responsibilities include:
• Lead Technical Execution: Own the technical baseline and direct multi-disciplinary engineering teams (aerodynamics, structures, guidance/navigation/control, propulsion, avionics, software) through detailed design, system integration, and verification.
• Oversee Prototype Build & Integration: Coordinate fabrication and assembly of prototype and development articles, resolving engineering challenges during the build process.
• Drive the Test Campaign: Lead planning and execution of comprehensive test programs including ground test, SIL/HIL integration, and developmental flight test to validate performance and expand operational envelope.
• Manage System Design & Architecture: Guide critical design trades, sub-system optimization, and interface management to ensure cohesive, high-performance air vehicle architecture.
• Ensure Airworthiness & Safety: Serve as technical authority for system safety and partner with test teams to develop data and artifacts for military flight releases.
• Problem Solve & Troubleshoot: Drive root cause analysis and implement solutions for issues discovered during integration and testing.
• Prepare for Production: Partner with manufacturing engineering to ensure design is production-ready (DFM/DFA) and support transition to production.
• Support deployed flight test and demonstration activities at customer and test sites.
This is a player-coach role requiring deep involvement in day-to-day execution while maintaining strategic oversight. You will leverage intuition and prior experience in programmatic-level decision-making to balance design rigor, risk management, and execution speed.
REQUIREMENTS:
• Experience as Chief Engineer, Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead, or senior technical leader on Group 3+ ISR and/or strike platform
• Deep, hands-on experience leading multi-disciplinary teams through at least one major phase of aircraft Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD): detailed design, prototype build, or flight test
• Proven track record taking complex aircraft systems from design into build and successful flight testing
• Strong technical foundation across multiple core aircraft disciplines (aerodynamics, structures, GNC, propulsion, systems integration), with emphasis on mission systems capabilities and integration
• Strong understanding of the "why" behind vehicle and systems design
• Experience on mission-critical DoD or advanced development aircraft programs
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering field
• Eligible to obtain and maintain active U.S. Secret security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Experience with developmental flight test, including test planning, risk management, and data analysis
• Direct experience leading prototype build of UAS at Group 3 or above
• Prior experience with DoD technology development organizations (DARPA, AFRL) on advanced flight programs
• Background in "Skunk Works," "Phantom Works," or fast-paced startup environment focused on rapid hardware prototyping
• Experience with wide range of manufacturing processes including additive manufacturing, advanced composites, and automated assembly
• Active Top Secret security clearance
