Chief Engineer, Tactical Recon and Strike

About this role

Anduril Industries seeks an experienced Chief Engineer to lead the Tactical Recon & Strike division, overseeing development of advanced small drone systems from concept through operational deployment. This role requires a versatile leader with 15+ years of experience in system design, cross-functional team management, and deep expertise across electrical, mechanical, software, and controls engineering disciplines.

What you'll do

• Lead technical execution across design, fabrication, testing, and production phases for tactical drone products
• Establish system-level architecture balancing software and hardware requirements for robust, cost-effective solutions
• Define product milestones, conduct design reviews, and manage engineering risk across cross-functional teams
• Coordinate prototype development, subsystem testing, and field validation efforts
• Develop verification and validation strategies for end-to-end system performance
• Provide hands-on technical support for deployed systems and in-field testing operations

What they're looking for

• Systems engineering and product development lifecycle management
• Aerodynamics, IMU, and control actuation knowledge
• Mechatronic design and firmware/software integration
• Rapid prototyping and data analysis
• Cross-functional team leadership and technical communication
• Sensor physics, calibration, and tracking systems
• Small UAS operations and military context experience
• Design trade-off analysis and risk management

Benefits

• Relocation benefits provided
• Competitive salary ($253,000 base range)
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge defense technology
• Hands-on involvement in product development from concept to field deployment
• Collaboration with specialized technical teams on challenging defense problems