Principal Flight Test Engineer, Mission Autonomy

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

The Test and Evaluation team at Anduril is integral to our mission, ensuring that every product meets the highest standards of performance and reliability. Our team specializes in a broad spectrum of testing activities, including developmental testing using surrogate vehicles. We are at the forefront of testing approaches, particularly in the domain of mission autonomy systems. As we expand, we're seeking a methodical engineer who is prepared to tackle the challenges of mission autonomy testing and contribute to the iterative development and refinement of our autonomous systems.

As a Mission Autonomy Flight Test Engineer at Anduril Industries, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of defense technology. Your focus on autonomy will empower users to execute multifaceted missions with precision and efficiency. Join us in our mission to transform military capabilities with your expertise in testing and autonomy.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Lead and participate in large scale developmental and operational testing of mission autonomy capabilities, utilizing surrogate vehicles in a fast-paced test environment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, hardware engineers, and product managers, to integrate test requirements with system capabilities and mission objectives.
• Collaborate with government entities and private companies to ensure all test objectives are meticulously planned and executed during government test events.
• Act as the Test Director, overseeing critical test milestones and leading the execution of testing activities, guaranteeing that each event runs smoothly and objectives are met.
• Ensure compliance with FAA, FCC, and other regulatory body requirements, maintaining adherence to strict standards throughout testing procedures.
• Provide critical feedback and insight into the development process, shaping the evolution of Anduril's mission autonomy technology.
• Support the continuous improvement of test procedures, safety protocols, and documentation standards to uphold the integrity of all flight test operations.
• Deconflict test events with other Anduril programs and initiatives, ensuring seamless operation and resource allocation.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, robotics, or a related technical field from an accredited institution, or equivalent experience in test coordination and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in a coordination role for government or high-stakes test events, with emphasis on autonomous or remotely piloted systems.
• Demonstrated proficiency in leading complex test events as a test director.
• Familiarity with FAA, FCC, and other relevant regulations, with a track record of ensuring compliance in test operations.
• Exceptional organizational and analytical skills, capable of managing multiple test events concurrently and synthesizing test data into actionable insights.
• Proven experience in collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams, influencing project direction and achieving critical milestones.
• Outstanding communication abilities, adept at conveying intricate test plans and outcomes to stakeholders at all levels.
• Flexibility to adapt to varying schedules and willingness to travel to test sites as needed.
• Ability to secure a U.S. Top Secret-Level security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in a relevant technical or management field.
• Direct experience in leading test events for mission autonomy systems within defense or aerospace sectors.
• In-depth knowledge of Pixhawk autopilot systems and ArduPilot flight stack, including integration, configuration, customization, and testing of unmanned vehicles.
• In-depth understanding of simulation tools and testing environments for autonomous systems.
• Knowledge of software development practices and programming languages pertinent to autonomy and robotics (e.g., Python, C++, ROS).
• Acquaintance with industry and military standards related to unmanned systems and national airspace operations.

US Salary Range$170,000—$200,000 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:

• Platinum Healthcare Benefits: For U.S. roles, we offer top tier platinum coverage (medical, dental, vision) that are 100% covered by Anduril for you and 90% covered for your dependents.
  • For UK roles, Private Medical Insurance (PMI): Anduril will cover the full cost of the insurance premium for an employee and dependents.
  • For AUS roles, Private health plan through Bupa: Coverage is fully subsidized by Anduril.
• Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Anduril, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in December, and highly competitive PTO plans.
• 16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition.
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting.
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well.
• A professional development stipend is available to all Andurilians.
• Daily Meals and Provisions: For many of our offices this means breakfast, lunch and fully stocked micro-kitchens.
• Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
• 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). (US roles only)

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.

Anduril is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Anduril team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals, who together are disrupting industry norms by creating new paths towards the future of defense technology. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone passionate about working on problems that have a real-world impact, we'd love to hear from you!

To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.