Chief Engineer, Advanced Targeting & Sensing Systems
Anduril IndustriesRole Overview
Anduril Industries is hiring a executive-level Chief Engineer, Advanced Targeting & Sensing Systems. This is a full-time role in Costa Mesa, California. Full responsibilities, required qualifications, and the apply link are listed in the description below.
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Job Description
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 Warfighter Systems team is pioneering a future where mixed reality (MR) creates immersive, intuitive, and life-saving technologies. We develop next-generation capabilities that put advanced technology directly in the hands of operators, enhancing operational effectiveness and survivability. This team is responsible for taking innovative concepts from prototype to fieldable product on aggressive timelines.
ABOUT THE JOB
You'll lead the technical development and productization of a revolutionary advanced counter-UAS system from working prototype to full-rate production. This system uses computer vision and various sensing technology combined with precision actuation to enable precise engagement of fast-moving UAS targets. You'll own the transition from a 1-of-1 proof of concept to a ruggedized, manufacturable product ready for demanding operational environments within a year. This includes component selection and qualification, system integration across multiple operational platforms, computer vision algorithm optimization, precision actuation and mechanical design, and manufacturing process development. You'll build and lead a dedicated engineering team within Anduril's Warfighter Systems team, establishing the technical vision and driving rapid execution from concept to fielded capability.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
- Lead end-to-end technical and programmatic execution to transition a working prototype into a production-ready product for operational customers
- Build and manage a high-performing engineering team of 5-10 direct reports, establishing team culture, processes, and technical standards
- Own the technical roadmap for productization, including component selection, design for manufacturing, ruggedization, safety systems, and qualification testing
- Work cross-functionally with software, mechanical, electrical, and autonomy teams to optimize system performance and reliability
- Establish and execute qualification and testing programs to validate system performance, reliability, and safety under operational conditions
- Support operational testing with end users, incorporating feedback to refine design and performance
- Ensure all work meets applicable safety standards, regulatory requirements, and rigorous qualification standards
- Manage technical risk, schedule, and resource planning to deliver capability on aggressive timelines
- Travel 25%+ to test sites, manufacturing partners, and customer locations
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, Actuation or related engineering field
- 10+ years of hardware engineering experience with demonstrated progression in technical leadership roles
- Proven track record taking prototype or proof-of-concept hardware systems to production and customer delivery
- Deep experience with electromechanical systems integration, precision actuation, and mechatronics
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, design for manufacturability (DFM), reliability, and supply chain management
- Experience building and leading engineering teams, setting technical vision, and driving execution
- Excellent communication skills and ability to interface with cross-functional teams and leadership
- Must be a U.S. person & eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance
- Must be authorized to work in the United States
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Proven ability to take multiple products to market
- Background in precision targeting systems, stabilization platforms, or advanced control systems. Preference for deep experience with advanced optical-mechanical systems.
- Knowledge of MIL-STD requirements and rigorous qualification programs
- Experience with lidar, optical sensors, or range-finding technologies
- Familiarity with real-time control systems and embedded computing platforms
- Background in ruggedization and environmental qualification testing
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:
Benefits
At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.
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:
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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.comaddress. - 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.
- Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an
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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.
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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/.
By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third-party service provider to conduct pre-employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third-party service provider provides risk-intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public-record information, and other lawful open-source or commercial data sources. This third-party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for the Chief Engineer, Advanced Targeting & Sensing Systems position at Anduril Industries?
Use the Apply button above to submit your application directly to Anduril Industries. Most applications take less than 5 minutes if your resume and contact details are ready, and you'll be routed to the employer's official application system to finish.
Where is the Chief Engineer, Advanced Targeting & Sensing Systems position at Anduril Industries located?
This position is based in Costa Mesa, California. Anduril Industries has not indicated remote or hybrid options for this role, so candidates should plan for on-site work.
What does a Chief Engineer, Advanced Targeting & Sensing Systems at Anduril Industries earn?
Anduril Industries has not disclosed a salary range in this posting. Many employers share specifics later in the interview process; you can also ask during a recruiter screen if compensation transparency is important to you.
When was the Chief Engineer, Advanced Targeting & Sensing Systems role at Anduril Industries posted?
This role was posted on May 1, 2026 (53 days ago). It's still listed as actively hiring; we re-confirm openings against the source system multiple times per day and remove closed roles.
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