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Salary: USD 191,000 - 253,000 / annual
Anduril Industries, a defense technology company, is seeking a Lead Hardware Engineer to own the hardware architecture, development execution, and technical strategy for its ladar (light detection and ranging) product line. You will lead the transition of high-precision active electro-optical (EO) systems from early-stage prototypes and Engineering Development Units (EDUs) through Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) into scaled, high-rate production.
In this role, you will define domain-specific hardware architecture, component selection, and detailed mechanical, electrical, optical, and test engineering. You will lead a small team of engineers from concept ideation through system definition and development, carrying products through New Product Introduction (NPI) into production with overall oversight of hardware sustainment and evolutionary development.
Key responsibilities include:
- Own hardware architecture, component selection, physical design, and detailed engineering across mechanical, electrical, optical, and test disciplines
- Lead the critical transition from low-volume prototype units to high-rate EMD production
- Lead hardware preparation and technical artifacts for program milestones including Hardware SRR, PDR, CDR, and Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRR)
- Coordinate and lead assembly of final EDU and EMD-1 builds for field testing and environmental Design Verification Testing (DVT)
- Architect, build, and ruggedize manufacturing and optical test equipment for efficient, repeatable, and automated production-floor testing
- Define, implement, and track hardware Verification and Validation (V+V) metrics to ensure system reliability in extreme physical environments
- Partner with the Chief Engineer and functional engineering leads to ensure sufficient, high-performing hardware engineering staffing
- Own the detailed hardware Continuous Improvement (CI) roadmap, oversee the Configuration Control/Change Review Board (CRB), and drive rapid resolution of hardware field issues
The Anduril Imaging team develops state-of-the-art imaging systems deployed to tackle significant security challenges for the U.S. and its allies, utilizing computer vision, perception, electro-optical, infrared, and sensor fusion technology.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Education: Degree in a technical field such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, optical engineering, systems engineering, physics, or a hard science
- Experience: 8+ years developing and deploying complex electromechanical, electro-optical, or active sensing systems
- Technical Breadth: Deep engineering skillset spanning mechanical, electrical, optical, and test disciplines, with proven experience in system design, architecture definition, and performance modeling
- NPI & Scale Experience: Proven experience managing New Product Introduction (NPI), leading initial system builds, and managing hardware scaling or sustainment at scale
- Leadership: Strong track record of leading high-performance, cross-functional engineering teams in a fast-paced environment
- Travel: Willingness to travel to test sites and manufacturing facilities as needed
- Security Clearance: Must be able to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ladar/EO Domain Expertise: Direct experience defining, designing, and testing active optical/imaging systems, Ladar/Lidar, or high-precision pointing architectures
- TRL Transition Experience: Proven success transitioning hardware from low Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) / rapid prototyping environments to high-reliability, qualified EMD and production programs
- Testing & DVT: Strong hands-on experience with environmental testing standards (thermal, shock, vibration) and using advanced design, simulation, and optical test equipment
- Supply Chain and Operations: Familiarity with supply chain coordination, inventory management, and defining "clear to build" metrics for complex assemblies
