← All roles

Senior Systems Engineer - Payload Module Lead

Anduril· Maritime & Maneuver Dominance : Maneuver Dominance Engineering : Systems Engineering
Apply on company site
Costa Mesa, CA$166k - $220kFull-timePosted 4w ago

About the role

Senior Systems Engineer to lead the design, integration, verification, and validation of a payload or weapon module for the Thunder platform, coordinating a multidisciplinary team and driving hands-on technical execution from requirements through 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 with progressive engineering experience (nine+ years with a bachelor's, seven+ with a master's, or five+ with a PhD; equivalent experience may substitute)
  • Software programming or embedded systems experience (C++, MATLAB, Python, PERL scripting)
  • 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 (software, electrical, mechanical)
  • Experience designing or validating safety critical state machines and interlock logic (arm and fire sequencing, consent based release)
  • Customer focus 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 required for ITAR/export controlled work
  • Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret clearance

Skills

Required:Systems engineering leadershipRequirements analysis and specificationMIL-STD interfaces (1553/1760)

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package (health, recovery, and related support) included in offers
Last updated Oct 21, 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