← All roles

Staff DFx Engineer, Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Anduril· Manufacturing : Manufacturing
Apply on company site
Costa Mesa, CA$166k - $220kfull-timePosted 4w ago

About the role

Senior DFx engineer focused on design for manufacturability, assembly, and cost across mechanical, structural, thermal, and fluid systems for Anduril’s autonomous aircraft, missiles, and loitering munitions. Drives producibility improvements, supplier qualification, and DFx standards across programs.

Responsibilities

  • Own and drive DFx analysis across mechanical, structural, thermal, and fluid systems subsystems for AD&S programs, with a primary focus on manufacturability, assembly, and cost.
  • Lead structured DFM/DFA/DFC reviews at key design milestones, applying rigorous scoring to identify producibility and cost risks and drive design changes before they reach production.
  • Lead/facilitate DFMEAs with cross-functional teams. Use FMEA outputs to drive design changes, inspection strategies, and control plans.
  • Work directly with SME manufacturing engineers and design engineers to evaluate designs, translate manufacturing constraints into actionable feedback, and negotiate design trades that balance performance, producibility, and cost.
  • Assist in the selection and qualification of contract manufacturers for machined components, fabrications, composite structures, thermal management hardware, and fluid system assemblies — assessing supplier manufacturing capability, process maturity, and cost competitiveness against DFx requirements.
  • Conduct supplier manufacturing assessments including facility reviews, process audits, and capability evaluations to determine readiness for production qualification.
  • Develop and maintain should-cost models and cost-driver analyses for mechanical and fluid system assemblies, identifying design changes that reduce unit cost without compromising quality or performance.
  • Develop and maintain DFx standards, guidelines, and scorecards specific to mechanical manufacturing processes including CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding, brazing, composite layup and bonding, tube bending and swaging, casting, forging, and mechanical assembly.
  • Analyze designs across key lenses — manufacturability/assembly, cost structure, adherence to specification, process capability, and technology maturity — to produce quantified risk assessments that inform engineering and program decisions.
  • Evaluate thermal management designs (heat exchangers, cold plates, thermal interface materials, cooling loops) for manufacturability and cost-effective production at rate.
  • Assess fuel, hydraulic, and pneumatic system designs for producibility — including tube routing, fitting selection, seal and joint design, leak test strategies, and cleanliness requirements.
  • Partner with supply chain to align DFx requirements with sourcing strategy, ensuring that designs are producible by the suppliers we intend to use.
  • Collaborate with quality engineering to ensure DFx findings flow into inspection plans, acceptance criteria, and supplier quality requirements.
  • Close the loop between production floor feedback, supplier performance data, and upstream design improvements.
  • Build and evolve the DFx toolkit — templates, scoring rubrics, cost models, lessons-learned databases, and training materials — so that DFx knowledge scales across the organization.
  • Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers on DFx principles, cost analysis techniques, and supplier assessment methods.
  • Travel to production sites, contract manufacturers, and supplier facilities (~20%, depending on business needs).

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
  • 12+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, producibility engineering, or DFx with significant focus on mechanical systems, thermal management, or fluid systems.
  • Strong technical depth in mechanical manufacturing processes: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding (TIG, MIG, electron beam, friction stir), brazing, composite layup and cure, bonding, casting, forging, and complex mechanical assembly.
  • Demonstrated experience leading DFM/DFA reviews and translating findings into measurable design improvements that reduce cost and improve producibility.
  • Experience evaluating and qualifying contract manufacturers — including facility assessments, process capability reviews, and production readiness evaluations.
  • Strong understanding of cost drivers in mechanical and fluid system production, with experience building or contributing to should-cost models.
  • Ability to read and critically evaluate mechanical drawings, GD&T, 3D models, and assembly documentation for producibility and cost impact.
  • Working knowledge of standards for aerospace mechanical and fluid systems (AS9100, NAS, AN/MS fittings, SAE AS specifications for fluid components).
  • Proven ability to work cross-functionally and influence decisions through technical credibility.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting DFx and cost findings to leadership.
  • Experience with Full Size Determinant Assembly (FSDA).
  • Hands-on credibility from time in machine shop, fabrication shop, or on a production floor.
  • Must be a U.S. Person due to access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities.

Skills

Required:DFx leadershipDFM/DFA/DFC

Benefits

  • Comprehensive, competitive benefits package (health, recovery, and future planning)
  • Top-tier benefits for full-time employees
  • Equity grants frequently offered as part of total compensation
Last updated Sep 30, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Anduril

defense-aero-and-safetyliquid-ai-recruiting-targetsetter-30setter-30-2026-q1wing-list-2026wing-list-2026-giga-stage
Company profileWebsite

More open roles at Anduril