Principal Systems Engineer, Ghost (Costa Mesa)

Principal Systems Engineer, Ghost

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.

About The Team

At Anduril's Tactical Recon and Strike (TRS) team, we're pushing the boundaries of aerial drone technology. We're the driving force behind groundbreaking products like Ghost, Anvil, Bolt, and Altius, taking them from concept to fully operational systems that are reshaping the landscape of defense and security. Our team tackles the entire spectrum of small drone development (Group 1-3), from the drones themselves to the critical equipment needed for testing, deployment, and operation. We thrive on solving complex challenges, collaborating with specialist teams to deliver cutting-edge solutions for our customers. In TRS, you'll be at the forefront of innovation, working with state-of-the-art technology and pushing the limits of what autonomous systems can achieve. If you're passionate about creating transformative technology and want to be part of a team that's shaping the future of defense capabilities, we want to hear from you. Join us in our quest to develop game-changing aerial systems that are redefining what's possible in tactical reconnaissance and strike operations.

About The Job

We are looking for an owner for a novel, relative navigation solution bridging perception, tracking, guidance for an upcoming product at our headquarters location in Costa Mesa, CA. You will lead development, refinement, and implementation of guidance architecture for systems combining high-cost off board sensing with low-cost off board sensing for current and future variants of a unique precision strike product. This role will involve usage and direct implementation of state-of-the-art Computer Vision (CV) and Guidance Navigation and Control work (GNC), and will require a level of firmware and electrical hardware familiarity. You will be involved at earliest stage product development, and help shape the capabilities set of the platform to achieve consistent mission success on a hyper-scalable platform developed on an aggressive timeline. We are a fast-growing company at the early stages of our growth, and you will be expected to own important deliverables during your time on the team, which will have a significant impact on the company's trajectory. Anduril fosters a diverse, collaborative, culture with plenty of opportunities for ownership and professional growth.

Must be eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance. This position will be located at our headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA (relocation benefits provided.)

What You'll Do

• Involvement with product architecture and definition of platform capability set
• Define and refine required hardware needed to achieve success criteria
• Develop and refine CV model through in-person testing and training
• Develop and refine GNC algorithms and vehicle simulation software
• Support on-site and off-site product testing and customer demonstrations
• Support and own similar scoping and efforts on future product variants

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

The 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 :

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

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!