Senior Test & Evaluation Engineer - Mission Autonomy

Company: Tbwa Chiat/Day Inc
Location: Costa Mesa
Posted on: March 25, 2025

Job Description:

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.The Test and Evaluation team at Anduril is integral to our mission, ensuring that every product meets the highest standards of performance and reliability. We are at the forefront of testing approaches, particularly in the domain of mission autonomy systems. As we expand, we're seeking a methodical engineer who is prepared to tackle the challenges of mission autonomy testing and contribute to the iterative development and refinement of our autonomous systems, including the Fury, Anduril's Group 5 UAS.As a Mission Autonomy Flight Test Engineer at Anduril Industries, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of defense technology. Your focus on autonomy will empower users to execute multifaceted missions with precision and efficiency. Join us in our mission to transform military capabilities with your expertise in testing and autonomy.WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Drive the advancement of Anduril's testing methodologies, with a focus on mission autonomy systems, to ensure robust and reliable performance in complex operational scenarios.
• Design and implement test plans that challenge and verify the capabilities of autonomous systems in a variety of simulated mission profiles.
• Analyze data from tests to validate system performance and identify areas for improvement, iterating rapidly to refine autonomy algorithms and behaviors.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, hardware engineers, and product managers, to define test requirements and ensure alignment with system capabilities and mission objectives.
• Drive end-to-end test management by shaping program requirements, designing comprehensive test plans, leading execution efforts, analyzing complex data, and delivering clear, concise reports to cross-functional and program teams.
• Execute and analyze simulations that replicate real-world scenarios for autonomous systems to accelerate testing cycles, optimize system performance, and inform stakeholders on development and deployment implications.
• Coordinate with private and government test ranges to test and evaluate systems and software.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • A Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, robotics, or a related technical field from an accredited institution, or equivalent experience in autonomous systems testing.
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in flight testing, with a strong emphasis on autonomous or remotely piloted systems.
  • Demonstrated ability in developing and executing test plans for complex systems within aggressive timelines.
  • Familiarity with the principles of mission autonomy, unmanned systems, and the integration of multiple assets into cohesive operational frameworks.
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret test data, diagnose system behaviors, and recommend actionable improvements.
  • Proven track record of working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to achieve project milestones and deliverables.
  • Excellent communication skills, capable of effectively articulating technical challenges and solutions to a diverse audience.
  • Willingness to work flexible hours and travel to various testing locations as required.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret-Level security clearance.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
    • Direct experience in the development, testing, and deployment of mission autonomy systems in a defense or aerospace context.
    • Hands-on experience with simulation environments and tools used for testing autonomous systems.
    • Familiarity with software development practices and experience with programming languages used in autonomy and robotics (e.g., Python, C++, ROS).
    • Knowledge of current industry and military standards related to unmanned aerial systems and their operation within national airspace.US Salary Range: $120,000 - $165,000 USDThe salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:
      • Platinum Healthcare Benefits: For U.S. roles, we offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you.
      • Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Anduril, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
      • Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in December, and highly competitive PTO plans.
      • 16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition.
      • Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (e.g., IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting.
      • Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy, life coaching, and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, available to you as well.
      • A professional development stipend is available to all Andurilians.
      • Daily Meals and Provisions: For many of our offices this means breakfast, lunch and fully stocked micro-kitchens.
      • Company-funded commuter benefits available based on your region.
      • Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
      • 401(k) retirement savings plan - both a traditional and Roth 401(k). (US roles only)Anduril is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Anduril team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals, who together are disrupting industry norms by creating new paths towards the future of defense technology. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone passionate about working on problems that have a real-world impact, we'd love to hear from you!
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Keywords: Tbwa Chiat/Day Inc, Costa Mesa , Senior Test & Evaluation Engineer - Mission Autonomy, Engineering , Costa Mesa, California