Anduril Industries

Mission Software Lead - Tactical, Recon and Strike

Anduril Industries$252K — $333K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years experience on high performing software teams
  • 3+ years direct management experience leading at least 5 team members
  • Proven track record of driving technical team performance
  • Hands-on experience in interdisciplinary projects like robotics or aerospace
  • Strong embedded systems knowledge including real-time software and Linux
  • Experience developing and executing technical roadmaps
  • Proficient in C++ and Linux environments

Responsibilities

  • Lead initiatives, turning functional plans into executable processes for VMS
  • Architect and deliver integrated hardware-software systems that meet requirements
  • Solve complex challenges, fostering innovation within the organizational framework
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, influencing goals and project outcomes
  • Mentor and develop talent in software and robotics engineering teams

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package with minimal costs to employees
  • Support for health, recovery, and future needs
  • Highly competitive equity grants included in offers
Full Job Description
About The Team
The Altius-600 Software Team, which is part of Anduril's Tactical Recon and Strike (TRS) group, develops flight computer vehicle software, autonomy and core infrastructure for small drones (Group 1-3). The team is enhancing the current Altius VMS to support modularity, clean abstractions, and faster new-aircraft development cycles-laying the groundwork for scalable, reusable flight software across the TRS product line.

About The Job

As the Mission Software Lead, you will own the entire onboard software ecosystem of the ALTIUS-600 platform. Your technical leadership will span mission autonomy, core infrastructure, tactical Command and Control (C2), and flight software (VMS). You will lead a high-performing engineering team that bridges the gap between hardware interfaces, deterministic vehicle controls, edge-compute infrastructure, and high-level autonomous decision-making. You will ensure ALTIUS reliably executes complex multi-agent behaviors, communicates efficiently across tactical datalinks, and maintains strict vehicle safety and mission readiness. You will apply a broad understanding of organizational priorities, workforce planning, and financial goals to lead your teams toward defined objectives. Decisions made in this role will impact broader team effectiveness, operating methods, and critical business outcomes for our Group 1-3 UAV programs. You'll work closely with leads across Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC), Avionics, Systems, and Hardware, regularly connecting with these cross-functional partners and internal/external stakeholders to align on goals and initiatives, and ensure your team is unblocked and empowered to deliver robust, reliable, and certifiable flight software.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:
  • Lead Initiatives & Drive Outcomes: Turn broader functional plans into actionable processes, ensuring they are carried out effectively to drive tangible, tactical outcomes for our VMS roadmap. You will allocate resources and guide your teams to deliver against defined objectives, recognizing that decisions at this level influence timelines and budgets, with missteps potentially causing increased costs or delays that extend over the course of a year.
  • Architect & Deliver Complex Systems: Lead the architecture, design, and execution of complex systems that effectively integrate hardware and software components, ensuring alignment with established system requirements and performance metrics. This includes strengthening and growing a dedicated software discipline around the end-to-end delivery of complex customer projects.
  • Problem Solve & Innovate: Tackle complex, often undefined challenges that require conceptual thinking and a strong grasp of broader organizational goals. You will take ownership of hard problems, guiding your team to navigate a wide range of issues and choose the right methods for innovative solutions.
  • Collaborate & Influence: Regularly connect with team leaders, cross-functional partners, and external stakeholders to align on goals and initiatives. You will build strong relationships across teams and disciplines, clearly sharing insights, results, and recommendations in a way that resonates with different audiences to achieve critical project and organizational objectives.
  • Talent Development & Mentorship: Attract, retain, and grow top talent in software/robotics engineering, fostering a high-performing team environment that contributes to our strategic workforce planning.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • 7+ years experience on high performing software teams
  • 3+ years direct management experience of 5+ people
  • Demonstrated ability to drive a high-performing technical team
  • Significant current/previous hands-on technical work on an interdisciplinary project (such as robotics, autonomous vehicles, avionics, or aerospace)
  • Strong embedded systems fundamentals: resource-efficient software design, drivers, real-time responsive software, Linux and RTOS frameworks.
  • Experience building and executing on technical roadmaps
  • Proficiency in C++ and Linux


US Salary Range

$252,000-$333,000 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:

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.

About Anduril Industries

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company that develops advanced systems for the military. The company was founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, Trae Stephens, and Matt Grimm, and has since grown to become a major player in the defense industry. Anduril's products include autonomous drones, surveillance systems, and other advanced technologies that are designed to enhance military capabilities. The company has received significant funding from investors and has partnerships with several major defense contractors. Anduril is headquartered in Mountain View, California.
Learn more about Anduril Industries
Size
200 employees
Industry
Founded
2017

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