Chief Engineer - Tactical Effects
Costa Mesa · Costa Mesa, CA (OC-00) · USD 191,000-253,000 · 7-10 years experience · Full-time · Posted Oct 2, 2026
At a glance
- Experience
- 7-10 years experience
- Employment
- Full-time
- Location
- Costa Mesa · Costa Mesa, CA (OC-00)
- Salary
- USD 191,000-253,000 · Base salary
About the role
- Anduril Industries is seeking a Chief Engineer for Tactical Effects to lead engineering efforts and conceptualize system architecture for upgrades and enhancements to existing vehicle systems.
- The role involves conceptualizing small drone designs, laying out system design plans and interfaces, and managing tactical engineering efforts across multidisciplinary teams.
- The position is based in Costa Mesa, CA, and requires occasional travel for hands-on UAV testing and execution.
Responsibilities
- Conceptualize system architecture for upgrades and enhancements to existing vehicle systems
- Conceptual designs of small drones including sizing, system performance and initial prototyping
- Layout system design plans and interfaces for new UAV products and platforms
- Work within a team of multidisciplinary engineers and specialists throughout the life of UAV design and integration process
- Manage tactical engineering efforts, interfacing between different engineering and test disciplines
- Draft and develop test plans for critical subsystems, and support vehicle level acceptance testing
- Develop interface controls for partners and customers for hardware, software, and electrical integration of complex and unique payloads with existing and new Anduril UAVs
- Achieve maximum uptime by leading vehicle data analysis efforts to identify performance trends and develop predictive failure models
- Support build and benchtop testing of new vehicle systems
- Conduct hands-on UAV testing with occasional travel
Requirements
- 7-10 years of industry experience including but not limited to system architecture
- Familiarity with concepts of systems engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software development, and control theory
- Demonstrated experience with conceptual design and vehicle system architecture
- Proven track record of progressing from clean sheet design to functioning hardware
- Hands-on build and prototyping of complex robotic or aircraft systems
- A passion for systems development, integration, and testing
- Knowledge of electronics troubleshooting and ability to use basic test equipment
- Extremely organized and detail-oriented
- Excellent verbal & written communication skills
- Must be able to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance
Preferred qualifications
- Experience developing electromechanical system models to inform the design, operation, and troubleshooting of complex subsystems
- Hands-on manufacturing and/or flight testing experience
- Experience in design engineering
- Experience in software engineering
- Understanding of aerodynamics, avionics, and flight systems
Benefits
- Highly competitive equity grants included in the majority of full time offers
- Top-tier benefits for full-time employees supporting health, recovery, and whatever comes next
Skills
- Systems Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Software Development
- Control Theory
- Aerodynamics
- Avionics
- Flight Systems
