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Chief Engineer, Fury Advanced Development & Prototyping

Anduril· Air Dominance & Strike : Autonomous Airpower Engineering : Chief Engineering
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Costa Mesa, CA$254k - $336kFull-timePosted 8mo ago

About the role

Lead the end-to-end prototype and first-article development of autonomous aircraft, overseeing fabrication, assembly, integration, and flight readiness while building and guiding a high-performance team and coordinating with suppliers.

Responsibilities

  • Lead Prototype Execution: Own the end-to-end technical execution of building first-article and prototype autonomous aircraft, leading the team from part fabrication to a fully integrated, flight-ready vehicle.
  • Hands-On Problem Solving: Serve as the lead technical problem-solver on the factory floor, driving root cause analysis and implementing rapid solutions for issues in manufacturing, assembly, and integration.
  • Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM): Work directly with the conceptual design team to provide critical DFM feedback, ensuring the aircraft is not just performant but also buildable, testable, and scalable.
  • Oversee Fabrication & Assembly: Lead the fabrication, assembly, and integration of complex airframe structures, propulsion systems, avionics, and flight control hardware.
  • Manage Build & Test Integration: Develop and execute the plan for system integration, ground testing, and final vehicle checkout in preparation for flight test.
  • Build and Lead an Elite Team: Lead and mentor a small, high-performing team of "doers"—engineers and technicians who thrive on building cutting-edge hardware.
  • Supplier & Partner Integration: Direct the technical interface with key suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure hardware is delivered on time and to spec.

Qualifications

  • A proven track record of leading the hands-on build and integration of a new, complex aircraft or aerospace vehicle.
  • Deep, hands-on expertise in manufacturing and prototyping, including composite fabrication, metallic structures, systems installation, and vehicle assembly.
  • Demonstrated experience taking a vehicle from detailed design release, through a first-article build, and into a successful test campaign.
  • Experience leading small, agile, multi-disciplinary engineering and technician teams in a rapid development environment.
  • Strong technical foundation in mechanical/aerospace structures and systems integration.
  • Expertise in Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and resolving real-time production issues.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Skills

Required:Prototype build leadershipDesign for Manufacturing (DFM)Fabrication & assemblySystems integrationLeadership
Nice to have:DFx / rapid iteration

Benefits

  • Comprehensive, competitive benefits package (health, recovery, and related support) available at little to no cost to employees.
Last updated Sep 23, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Anduril

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