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Salary: USD 129,000 - 171,000 / annual
Anduril Industries, a defense technology company, is seeking a Prototype Manufacturing Engineer to join the Air Dominance & Strike (AD&S) Manufacturing Engineering team. This role executes first builds and prototype manufacturing across mechanical, structural, thermal management, and fluid systems (fuel, hydraulics, pneumatics) subsystems for autonomous aircraft, cruise missiles, and loitering munitions.
You will be the first manufacturing engineer on new builds, working from incomplete design definitions—often without released drawings or established work instructions—to figure out how hardware goes together, build the first units, and document lessons learned. Your output includes not just built prototypes but also MVP work instructions, preliminary BOM structures, buildability feedback, and manufacturing knowledge that drives producibility improvements and prepares for rate production. You serve as the bridge between design intent and the physical reality of first-time builds.
This is a cross-program role where you move between AD&S programs based on first-build needs, bringing consistent methodology regardless of product line. You will work closely with design engineers, DFx engineers, SME manufacturing engineers, and production technicians in a fast-paced environment with messy inputs.
Key responsibilities include: executing first builds of mechanical, structural, thermal, and fluid system hardware from preliminary inputs; developing MVP work instructions capturing assembly sequences, tooling needs, critical dimensions, and process notes; establishing preliminary BOM structures with Make/Buy determinations; providing structured design feedback on buildability, checkability, and repeatability; documenting lessons learned for DFx engineers; building Hardware-in-the-Loop units (Ironbirds, Copperbirds); identifying and resolving manufacturing issues in real time; developing or sourcing prototype tooling and fixtures; validating process assumptions with SME engineers; supporting transition to early production; collaborating with quality engineering on inspection points; and traveling to production sites and supplier facilities (~15-20%).
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, prototype/development manufacturing, or NPI with hands-on involvement in building new hardware (not sustaining existing production lines)
- Demonstrated experience executing first builds or first-article production of mechanical or electromechanical hardware with incomplete or evolving design inputs
- Practical knowledge of mechanical manufacturing and assembly processes: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding, mechanical fastening, composite fabrication, tube bending/swaging, adhesive bonding, and mechanical integration
- Ability to read mechanical drawings, interpret GD&T, and work from 3D models with judgment to identify shop-floor feasibility issues
- Experience writing work instructions, assembly procedures, or process documentation
- Strong communication skills and willingness to give direct, specific design feedback to design engineers with proposed solutions
- Comfort working across multiple programs simultaneously, shifting between products as first-build needs arise
- Genuine interest in building things and drive to figure out how hardware goes together; personal experience in machine shop, fabrication shop, or hardware work (machining, welding, assembly, personal projects) is a strong plus
- Self-directed and resourceful; comfortable working without complete inputs or perfect information
- Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience in aerospace or defense prototype/development manufacturing, particularly with structural, thermal, or fluid system hardware
- Exposure to Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) builds, integration test articles, or similar one-off/low-volume integration hardware
- Familiarity with AS9100 or similar quality management systems
- Proficiency in CAD software (NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or similar)
- Experience with composite manufacturing processes (layup, cure, bonding, machining)
- Experience with fluid system assembly (tube routing, fitting installation, leak testing, cleanliness requirements)
- Familiarity with BOM management, ERP systems, or PLM tools
- Experience developing or sourcing prototype tooling and fixtures
- Currently possesses and able to maintain active U.S. Secret security clearance
