Deputy Chief Engineer, Discovery

Costa Mesa · Waltham · Washington · Costa Mesa, CA (OC-00) · Washington, DC (DC-01) · USD 191,000-253,000 · 12+ years experience · Posted Oct 2, 2026

At a glance

Experience: 12+ years experience
Location: Costa Mesa · Waltham · Washington · Costa Mesa, CA (OC-00) · Washington, DC (DC-01)
Salary: USD 191,000-253,000 · Base salary

As Deputy Chief Engineer in Discovery, you lead the technical work on concepts nobody has proven, usually several at once.
This is a hands-on technical leadership role on both internally and externally funded programs within Anduril's Discovery Business Line, on operationally relevant timelines.

Own new concepts from first idea through analysis, prototype, and test, and drive them to a validated answer
Learn new domains fast enough to do real work in them: read the references, build the model, check it against known results, then extend it
Build or adapt the models, simulations, and test setups the question needs, using existing tools where they fit and building where they do not
Pressure-test your own and others' work: hunt failure modes, surface hidden assumptions, and stress trade studies before decisions are locked in
Use AI tools as a force multiplier for research, code, and analysis, and know when their output has to be checked against a reference
Work shoulder to shoulder with Hardware, Software, GNC, and the other teams at Anduril, and translate results into decisions that change the design
Communicate results to engineers, leadership, and customers, including strong visual presentation of complex data

Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance
Demonstrated experience working in more than one technical area
You have done things: designed, built, tested, or fielded something real, in any field
Proficiency in at least one physics-math scripting environment (Python with numpy/scipy, MATLAB/Simulink, Julia, or similar)
Strong written, verbal, and visual communication

12+ years in a relevant science/engineering field
Math, physics, or engineering degree, or similar
Proficiency with AI tools (coding assistants, agents, model-driven research) in day-to-day engineering work, and judgment about when to trust their output
Experience in several of: space systems, missiles and missile defense, air vehicles, GNC, sensors and sensor fusion, radar, EW, acoustics, autonomy, or similar. Breadth across these counts for more than depth in any one
Familiarity with domain analysis tools as relevant (STK/Astrogator, AFSIM, HFSS, Fluent, or similar)

Highly competitive equity grants
Top-tier benefits for full-time employees including support in health and recovery