Discovery Engineer (Modeling & Simulation)

Boston · Waltham · Costa Mesa, CA (OC-00) · Washington, DC (DC-01) · USD 166,000-220,000 · 4+ years experience · Posted Sep 30, 2026

At a glance

Experience: 4+ years experience
Location: Boston · Waltham · Costa Mesa, CA (OC-00) · Washington, DC (DC-01)
Salary: USD 166,000-220,000 · Base salary

As a Discovery Engineer, you pick up a concept nobody has proven, learn whatever domain it lives in, build the analysis or prototype that tests it, and get to an answer.
This is a hands-on technical 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
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

4+ 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
Familiarity with domain analysis tools as relevant (STK/Astrogator, AFSIM, HFSS, Fluent, or similar)

Top-tier benefits for full-time employees supporting health, recovery, and whatever comes next
Highly competitive equity grants