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Staff Systems Engineer, Software Defined Weapons Optic

Anduril· Connected Warfare : Edge Compute & Communications Engineering : Compute & Comms Engineering Design
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Costa Mesa, CA$132k - $198kFull-timePosted 6d ago

About the role

Staff Systems Engineer to lead the integration of tightly coupled optics, computer vision, embedded compute, actuators, laser subsystems, and counter-UAS effector integration into a production-ready, warfighter-portable anti-UAV system. Role emphasizes end-to-end ownership, cross-domain integration, and system-level decision making for high-stakes defense technology.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the technical authority spanning optics, computer vision, electro-mechanical actuation, laser subsystems, embedded compute, and counter-UAS effector integration — translating mission-level outcomes into coherent system architectures
  • Lead cross-functional integration between mechanical, electrical, firmware, computer vision, and manufacturing teams, acting as the technical glue that transforms separate components into a cohesive anti-UAV system
  • Reimagine system requirements through first-principles thinking, challenging traditional counter-UAS approaches to create more robust, adaptable solutions
  • Identify critical warfighter needs and translate them into technical specifications that outperform legacy counter-UAS and air defense systems
  • Create systems architecture diagrams that bridge mechanical, electrical, optical, and software interfaces — aligning cross-domain teams on a single source of truth
  • Own critical product decisions, balancing technical tradeoffs between accuracy, latency, power, SWaP, and ruggedization while maintaining system integrity
  • Define and manage the system-level error budget — allocating contributions across optics, mechanical tolerances, calibration, CV algorithms, and actuator control to meet first-round-hit accuracy requirements
  • Lead design reviews ensuring rigor from requirements definition through verification and validation
  • Own the technical risk management process, ensuring systems meet rigorous military standards (shock, vibration, environmental, EMI) without sacrificing innovation
  • Identify and eliminate bottlenecks in the development process, enabling the team to deliver breakthrough capabilities faster
  • Own verification and validation plans and execution — including lab, benchtop, and live-engagement test campaigns against representative UAS threats
  • Revolutionize how we document complex systems, leveraging modern SE tools to visualize architectures and model performance
  • Create technical narratives that communicate complex ideas clearly to engineers, leadership, program stakeholders, and end users
  • Build the digital backbone that enables rapid iteration and continuous improvement of DEADSHOT and follow-on products
  • Create user documentation that enables warfighters to autonomously operate and sustain the product in the field
  • Travel to field exercises and customer events to teach users how to operate the product and bring feedback back to drive stronger designs
  • Support live-engagement assessments and operational evaluations alongside end users

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or another technical discipline
  • 8+ years of systems engineering experience, preferably in rapid product development environments
  • Track record of delivering complex multi-domain electro-mechanical systems — ideally spanning optics, sensors, actuators, embedded compute, and software
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver against aggressive schedules
  • Hands-on prototyping, troubleshooting, and integration experience — comfortable moving between CAD, lab bench, and field test
  • Experience owning verification and validation across the full product lifecycle, including environmental qualification (shock, vibration, thermal, sealing)
  • Demonstrated willingness to challenge the status quo and drive first-principles solutions
  • Strong technical intuition with excellent communication skills
  • Comfortable making decisions with imperfect information and adapting as new data emerges
  • Experience with modern systems engineering tools and methodologies (MBSE, requirements management, digital engineering)
  • Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities

Skills

Required:Systems architectureCross-functional leadershipVerification & Validation

Benefits

  • Competitive benefits package (health, recovery, and other support) available to full-time employees
Last updated Oct 21, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Anduril

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