Senior Systems Engineer, Payload Module Lead
Anduril· Maritime & Maneuver Dominance : Maneuver Dominance Engineering : Systems Engineering
Costa Mesa, CA$166k - $220kFull-timePosted 3mo ago
About the role
Senior Systems Engineer to lead design, integration, verification, and validation of a specific payload or weapon module for the Thunder platform, guiding a multidisciplinary team through requirements to test, fielding, and sustainment.
Responsibilities
- Lead integration, verification, and validation of a specific weapon or payload module onto the Thunder platform
- Directly lead, or provide technical direction to, a team of 6 to 8 engineers across software, electrical, and mechanical and structural disciplines
- Develop program plans, estimates, and schedules for the module
- Develop system and architecture designs, perform system level analysis, and generate requirements for the module
- Troubleshoot conflicting design and development requirements
- Drive design and implementation of MIL STD 1553 and 1760 interfaces, structural mounts, and support installs (wiring, cooling, power) for the assigned module
- Own stores management system (SMS) and fire control logic specific to the module, including arm, select, and release state machines and safety interlocks
- Own safe separation analysis and testing for the module, covering trajectory clearance, jettison envelope, and captive carry and flight test support
- Run day to day agile execution for the team, including sprint planning, backlog management, and technical decision making
- Develop and maintain Interface Control Documents, Software Requirement Specifications, Performance Specifications, and review test plans and procedures
- Develop and present technical material for reviews and meetings
- Support lab, ground, and flight test events
- Coordinate with the Payloads Lead on cross module interface consistency and shared standards (MOSA/WOSA)
- Coordinate and interface directly with customers, contractors, and external payload and weapon supplier engineering teams on module specific integration issues
- Drive development of module specific test fixtures, bench setups, and SITL/HITL simulation environments
- Support ongoing operation of the fielded weapon system for the module
- Support proposals and white papers for future efforts or capabilities related to the module
- Provide hands on technical mentorship and direction to team engineers across disciplines
- Travel up to 25% to test sites and integration facilities
Qualifications
- Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in engineering, computer science, or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution, with progressive engineering experience: nine+ years with a bachelor's, seven+ years with a master's, or five+ years with a PhD; equivalent engineering experience may substitute for education
- Software programming or embedded systems experience (C++, MATLAB, Python, PERL scripting, etc.)
- Familiarity with air to air weapons, MIL STD 1553, and logical Interface Control Documents
- Experience integrating weapons, payloads, or avionics onto aircraft
- Experience with weapon or tactical datalinks
- Experience directly leading or technically directing a small multidisciplinary engineering team
- Experience designing or validating safety critical state machines and interlock logic (arm and fire sequencing, consent based release)
- Must be customer focused with ability to formulate and implement plans to resolve technical engineering problems
- Ability to travel to support program and test events (up to 25%)
- U.S. Person status (citizenship or lawful permanent residency) required for ITAR and export controlled work
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret clearance
Skills
Required:System architecture and requirements developmentProject and team leadership
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package available to employees; details via Anduril Careers page
Last updated Oct 7, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
About Anduril
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