Anduril Industries

Staff Flight Test Engineer - Mission Autonomy (UAS)

Anduril Industries$166K — $220K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, robotics, or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • 12+ years of flight testing experience, focusing on autonomous or remotely piloted systems.
  • Proven ability to develop and execute complex test plans under tight deadlines.
  • Familiarity with mission autonomy principles and integrating multiple operational assets.
  • Strong analytical skills for interpreting test data and diagnosing system issues.
  • Collaborative experience with multidisciplinary teams to meet project goals.
  • Excellent communication skills for presenting technical challenges and solutions.

Responsibilities

  • Advance testing methodologies for mission autonomy systems to ensure performance in complex scenarios.
  • Design and implement challenging test plans to verify autonomous system capabilities.
  • Analyze test data to validate performance and identify improvement areas.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define test requirements aligned with mission objectives.
  • Manage end-to-end testing by defining requirements, designing plans, executing tests, and reporting results.
  • Execute simulations that replicate real-world scenarios to enhance system performance.
  • Coordinate testing at private and government ranges for evaluation purposes.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive healthcare plans with minimal costs for employees.
  • Life and disability insurance coverage for all employees.
  • Highly competitive PTO including a holiday hiatus in December.
  • Support for family planning and parenting, including fertility treatments and adoption resources.
  • 24/7 access to mental health resources and additional wellness services.
  • Annual reimbursement for professional development expenses.
  • Company-funded commuter benefits by region.
  • Relocation assistance based on eligibility.
Full Job Description
The Test and Evaluation team at Anduril is integral to our mission, ensuring that every product meets the highest standards of performance and reliability. 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, including the Fury, Anduril's Group 5 UAS.

As a Staff 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
  • Drive the advancement of Anduril's testing methodologies, with a focus on mission autonomy systems, to ensure robust and reliable performance in complex operational scenarios.
  • Design and implement test plans that challenge and verify the capabilities of autonomous systems in a variety of simulated mission profiles.
  • Analyze data from tests to validate system performance and identify areas for improvement, iterating rapidly to refine autonomy algorithms and behaviors.
  • Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, hardware engineers, and product managers, to define test requirements and ensure alignment with system capabilities and mission objectives.
  • Drive end-to-end test management by shaping program requirements, designing comprehensive test plans, leading execution efforts, analyzing complex data, and delivering clear, concise reports to cross-functional and program teams.
  • Execute and analyze simulations that replicate real-world scenarios for autonomous systems to accelerate testing cycles, optimize system performance, and inform stakeholders on development and deployment implications.
  • Coordinate with private and government test ranges to test and evaluate systems and software

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • A Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, robotics, or a related technical field from an accredited institution, or equivalent experience in autonomous systems testing.
  • Minimum of 12 years of experience in flight testing, with a strong emphasis on autonomous or remotely piloted systems.
  • Demonstrated ability in developing and executing test plans for complex systems within aggressive timelines.
  • Familiarity with the principles of mission autonomy, unmanned systems, and the integration of multiple assets into cohesive operational frameworks.
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret test data, diagnose system behaviors, and recommend actionable improvements.
  • Proven track record of working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to achieve project milestones and deliverables.
  • Excellent communication skills, capable of effectively articulating technical challenges and solutions to a diverse audience.
  • Willingness to work flexible hours and travel to various testing locations as required.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret-Level security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Direct experience in the development, testing, and deployment of mission autonomy systems in a defense or aerospace context.
  • Hands-on experience with simulation environments and tools used for testing autonomous systems.
  • Familiarity with software development practices and experience with programming languages used in autonomy and robotics (e.g., Python, C++, ROS).
  • Knowledge of current industry and military standards related to unmanned aerial systems and their operation within national airspace.


US Salary Range

$166,000-$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.

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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