Lead Air Vehicle Engineer, Maneuver Dominance

Company: Anduril Industries
Location: Costa Mesa
Posted on: April 3, 2026

Job Description:

ABOUT THE JOB Anduril is seeking a Lead Air Vehicle Engineer to join the Maneuver Dominance team at our Costa Mesa HQ to lead the convergence of technical efforts in developing an advanced airborne platform. This individual will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of vertical flight focusing on air vehicle development and integrating mission autonomy to meet the evolving demands of defense capabilities. Here you will work on core product development for unmanned rotorcraft and complex systems, including but not limited to aircraft configuration, composites, mechanisms, and structures. The role requires high ownership and frequent collaboration with other core disciplines. The ideal candidate would be practical, hands-on, and a self starter. High growth potential is possible as well as additional leadership opportunities. WHAT YOU’LL DO Execute rapid evaluation of engineering concepts across a wide range of aerospace disciplines Perform trade studies and physics-based analysis of blue-sky engineering problems Advanced design, configuration, implementation of a highly complex advanced air vehicle Operate with extreme visibility and exercise a vast level of professional autonomy Lead design reviews, run analysis, interface with vendors, define and execute hardware test plans Build prototypes, analyze failures, and transition successful projects into production Support critical software and hardware demonstrations with customers as needed Use first principles physics as a basis for every decision Ability to provide input across a variety of technical domains not limited to: aerodynamics, flight dynamics, GNC, aeroelastic, loads and dynamics REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Physics , or related technical discipline. Minimum of 8 years in technical leadership roles such as Technical Program Manager, Chief Engineer, Lead Engineer, or similarly relevant position. Leadership experience in engineering team management and project execution for aerospace or defense sectors. Deep experience developing VTOL platforms. Broad exposure to aircraft concepts, design layouts, static stability, control architectures and propulsion concepts. Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative environment that drives innovation and project success. Strong project management skills, with experience using tools like JIRA and Confluence, and knowledge of Agile and Waterfall methodologies. Exceptional communication and stakeholder management abilities, capable of engaging effectively with both technical teams and non-technical partners. Knowledge of aircraft design principles, including familiarity with vertical lift, as well as aircraft build and integration, and flight test execution/oversight. Hands-on experience with the development and deployment of autonomous systems, particularly in rotorcraft or large UAS. Eligible to obtain a U.S. Secret security clearance Ability to travel up to 50% depending on the product lifecycle PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Direct experience with autonomous systems, specifically with the development and integration of rotorcraft or larger UAS. Deep familiarity with unmanned aircraft, autonomous systems, robotics, aircraft design. Knowledgeable in the nuanced integration of complex systems, such as launched effects, into aerial platforms, ensuring system compatibility and performance. An extensive network within the aerospace industry, enabling effective collaboration and leveraging partnerships for product development. Familiarity with Defense Acquisition Processes and a clear understanding of key review stages and compliance requirements. Relevant professional certifications that underscore a commitment to continuous learning and application of industry best practices. Customer-facing experience with a proven ability to lead high-profile programs and navigate complex client relationships with confidence and authority. US Salary Range $146,000 - $220,000 USD The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including: Healthcare Benefits US Roles: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you. UK & AUS Roles: We cover full cost of medical insurance premiums for you and your dependents. IE Roles: We offer an annual contribution toward your private health insurance for you and your dependents. Additional Benefits Income Protection : Anduril covers life and disability insurance for all employees. Generous time off : Highly competitive PTO plans with a holiday hiatus in December. Caregiver & Wellness Leave is available to care for family members, bond with a new baby, or address your own medical needs. Family Planning & Parenting Support: Coverage for fertility treatments (e.g., IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carriers, along with resources to support you and your partner from planning to parenting. Mental Health Resources: Access free mental health resources 24/7, including therapy and life coaching. Additional work-life services, such as legal and financial support, are also available. Professional Development: Annual reimbursement for professional development Commuter Benefits: Company-funded commuter benefits based on your region. Relocation Assistance: Available depending on role eligibility. Retirement Savings Plan US Roles: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after-tax (mega backdoor Roth) options. UK & IE Roles: Pension plan with employer match. AUS Roles: Superannuation plan. The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process. Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information. To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind: No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates. Please always verify communications: Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address. Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to contact@anduril.com . Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links. What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to contact@anduril.com . Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts. Data Privacy To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/ .

Keywords: Anduril Industries, San Marcos , Lead Air Vehicle Engineer, Maneuver Dominance, Engineering , Costa Mesa, California