--- title: 'Chief Engineer, USMC, Air Defense at Anduril Industries' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/chief-engineer-usmc-air-defense-anduril-industries-huntsville-fvw4bcvn5mfr' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-07' --- # Chief Engineer, USMC, Air Defense at Anduril Industries - **Company:** Anduril Industries - **Location:** Huntsville, AL / Irvine, CA / Seattle, WA / Washington, DC - **Compensation:** $220k–$292k - **Posted:** 2026-11-04 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-07 - **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/andurilindustries/jobs/5284445007?gh_jid=5284445007 ## 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. ## ABOUT THE TEAM Anduril's Air Defense team develops, integrates, and fields autonomous systems that find, track, and defeat threats in the sky while keeping operators in control of engagement decisions. The team brings together Roadrunner, Sentry, Anvil, Pulsar, and Wisp with existing and third-party sensors and effectors through Lattice, creating a software-enabled family of systems for the modern battlespace. As control of the air becomes more contested, these networked capabilities give warfighters the awareness and response options needed to protect forces against rapidly evolving UAS threats. ## ABOUT THE JOB Anduril runs two kinds of air defense programs for the U.S. Marine Corps. The first is a counter-UAS program of record that defends Marine Corps installations in the U.S. and overseas. The second is organic counter-UAS for the Marine maneuver force across dismounted, mounted, and expeditionary formations, where the Marine Corps is selecting systems now through competitive white papers, government demonstrations, and fly-offs. As Chief Engineer, you're the single technical authority across both. You own the architecture and technical performance of everything Anduril delivers or proposes to the Marine Corps: our own sensors and effectors, the third-party and government-furnished systems we integrate, and the networks and command and control that connect them. The Marine Corps acquires these two kinds of capability in different ways. An installation is a sustained service, where uptime, configuration control, safety, and accreditation carry as much weight as the sensors. A Marine maneuver unit buys a system, takes it out of the box, and expects it to work without a software update in the field. That changes what counts as ready, how Anduril prices and sustains the system, and what we can responsibly promise. You keep the two models separate where they have to differ, and you build commonality across them where it holds up. You also decide what Anduril presents to the customer as ready. Each product team owns its own product, and you own the integrated answer: what we have, which fielded systems we could integrate, what a winning solution looks like for how Marines will use it, and what isn't mature enough to show a customer yet. ## WHAT YOU'LL DO Portfolio technical authority. Serve as Chief Engineer for Air Defense's U.S. Marine Corps programs. Own system architecture, integration strategy, fielding readiness, and sustainment outcomes across the fielded installation program and the maneuver programs and pursuits. Set the technical baseline, chair design reviews, and make the technical decisions that keep schedule and engineering aligned. Exercise this authority across program engineers, product teams, and field teams who don't report to you. Fielded baseline. Maintain the engineering baseline for a fleet deployed across many sites as it transitions to a next-generation sensor and compute configuration. Run engineering change and configuration management so hardware, software, and documentation agree at every site. Change the baseline when field evidence shows it's incomplete or wrong, and make the case for the investments the next delivery needs. Maneuver architecture. Turn Marine Corps operational concepts for dismounted, mounted, and expeditionary counter-UAS into systems a Marine can carry, mount, or set up and trust. Design within size, weight, power, and transportability limits, and own integration onto vehicles and other platforms. Define interfaces to the command and control and effectors the Marine Corps already fields. Own the technical case through government demonstrations and fly-offs. Technical maturity. Review what product teams and business development plan to show the customer before they show it. Give Anduril a clear account of what works today, what needs an engineering sprint, and what isn't ready, and hold customer commitments to what the engineering supports. Field performance and recovery. Define the verification and qualification approach, and make the call on whether a configuration is ready to ship or demonstrate. When a fielded site degrades, lead the recovery under time pressure, including at overseas sites that depend on host-nation approvals and sit several time zones away. Feed what you learn back into the product so the next site doesn't repeat the failure. Customer technical authority. Represent Anduril's engineering position to the Marine Corps program office, its test and evaluation community, and the authorities who approve safety, cybersecurity, and fielding. Bring their requirements and constraints back to Anduril, and explain engineering constraints in terms the customer can act on. Growth. Partner with business development and program management on the technical content of pursuits, including white papers, requests for information, rough order of magnitude estimates, and proposals. Write the basis of estimate behind each one. ## REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS - Engineering, science, or other technical degree, or equivalent practical experience - 10+ years of systems or engineering experience, with a track record of technical ownership on fielded systems - End-to-end technical accountability for whether a delivered system worked in an operational environment, not only for producing its design artifacts - Ownership of the architecture, interface set, and verification approach for a program or portfolio delivered to a U.S. defense customer - Ability to carry technical authority across teams that don't report to you, and to brief senior technical leadership and customer program leadership directly - Ability to negotiate requirements, deviations, and acceptance with a customer's technical representatives, and to write a credible basis of estimate - Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time, including overseas - Eligibility to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance ## PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience delivering counter-UAS, ground-based air defense, or force protection capability to the U.S. Marine Corps - Experience running recovery at a fielded site under time pressure, working from real hardware and real data - Experience integrating third-party and government-furnished hardware and software into a system you were accountable for - Prior Marine Corps service, or experience in a Marine Corps program office or test and evaluation organization - Experience fielding dismounted or vehicle-mounted systems, including platform integration and design under tight size, weight, and power limits - Experience sustaining a system at multiple permanent installations under an availability commitment - Configuration management and engineering change experience on a program of record, including system safety and item identification requirements - Experience owning a system's technical case through a competitive government demonstration or fly-off - Depth in one or more of: radar, passive RF detection and electronic warfare, electro-optical and infrared sensors, effector integration, tactical networking, or air defense command and control - Experience fielding at overseas installations, including host-nation spectrum and site approvals US Salary Range $220,000—$292,000 USD 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: ## Benefits At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, [Explore Our Benefits](https://www.anduril.com/careers). Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information. To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind: - No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates. - Please always verify communications: - Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address. - Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to contact@anduril.com. - Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links. - What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to contact@anduril.com. Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts. Data Privacy To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/. By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third-party service provider to conduct pre-employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third-party service provider provides risk-intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public-record information, and other lawful open-source or commercial data sources. This third-party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security. ## About Anduril Industries ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: A military technology company developing AI-powered autonomous systems and software for defense and national security. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series H) - **Headquarters**: Costa Mesa, California, USA - **Founded**: 2017 - **Founders**: Palmer Luckey, Trae Stephens, Matt Grimm, Joe Chen, Brian Schimpf ## Core Business - Primary industry: Defense, aerospace, artificial intelligence, robotics - Target customers: Primarily B2G – U.S. Department of Defense, allied governments (e.g., UK, UAE), and border security agencies (e.g., CBP) - Mission/purpose: To accelerate the adoption of advanced technology in defense, with a focus on autonomous systems, AI-driven decision-making, and rapid production at scale. ## Products & Services - **[Lattice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anduril_Industries#Lattice)**: AI-powered software platform that fuses sensor data from multiple sources (Anduril and third-party) to detect, identify, and track objects in real time. Core to all Anduril systems. - **[Sentry Tower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anduril_Industries#Sentry_Tower)**: Autonomous, solar-powered surveillance tower (33ft) with cameras, radar, thermal imaging, and comms – used for border security and military base protection. - **[Ghost](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anduril_Industries#Ghost)**: Small, portable unmanned aerial system (UAS) for reconnaissance and surveillance; used by U.S. Marines and other forces. - **Altius Family**: Tube-launched, fixed-wing UAVs (e.g., Altius 600, Altius 700M) that can be deployed from aircraft, ground vehicles, or larger UAVs. - **Fury (YFQ-44A)**: Semi-autonomous collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) developed for the U.S. Air Force’s CCA program; first flight in October 2025. - **IVAS (Integrated Visual Augmentation System)**: Anduril took over development from Microsoft in 2025; a heads-up display/goggle system for ground soldiers. ## Market Standing - **Valuation**: $61 billion (Series H, May 2026) – [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anduril_Industries) - **Annual Revenue**: $2 billion (2025) – [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anduril_Industries) - **Total Funding**: ~$12.7 billion (across all rounds, including $5B raise in May 2026) – [robotics.press](https://robotics.press/news/anduril-deep-dive/) - **Notable Investors**: Founders Fund, Andreessen Horowitz, Thrive Capital, 8VC, General Catalyst, Lux Capital, Valor Equity Partners, D1 Capital Partners, Sands Capital - **Notable Customers/Partners**: U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), UK Home Office, Royal Navy, Edge Group (UAE), OpenAI - **Growth Signals**: - Raised $5B in May 2026 at a $61B valuation, up from $14B in August 2024 - Constructing Arsenal-1, a $1B hyperscale manufacturing facility in Ohio, with partnerships from Ohio State University - Acquired multiple companies between 2021-2026 (Area-I, Adranos, Blue Force Technologies, Numerica, Klas, ExoAnalytic Solutions, etc.) - Won contracts for CCA development (Air Force), robotic combat vehicle software (Army), and CBP border surveillance - Took over IVAS program from Microsoft (2025) - Employees grew from ~90 in 2017 to 7,000 in 2026 ## Competitive Advantages - **Vertically integrated**: Designs, manufactures, and operates its own hardware (drones, towers, missiles) and software (Lattice), enabling rapid iteration. - **AI-first approach**: Lattice provides a common operating picture across domains, reducing decision latency in combat scenarios. - **Speed of production**: Arsenal projects aim to produce advanced autonomous systems faster than traditional defense primes. - **Government trust**: Deep relationships with DoD and allied agencies, demonstrated by multi-million-dollar contracts and classified work. - **In-person, security-focused culture**: Proximity to military bases, industrial equipment, and classified contract requirements create a unique operational moat. ## Strategic Focus - **Hyperscale manufacturing**: Build Arsenal-1 (Ohio) and subsequent “Arsenal” facilities to manufacture autonomous weapons at near-peer-competitive speed. - **Space domain**: Acquired ExoAnalytic Solutions (March 2026) to expand into space-based intelligence and surveillance. - **Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)**: Fury is a key program; competing for Air Force’s CCA Increment 1. - **International expansion**: Partnership with UAE’s Edge Group; sales to UK (Royal Navy, Home Office); plans to serve other Five Eyes and allied nations. - **AI integration**: Partnership with OpenAI to enhance defense systems; Lattice already used by Space Force for surveillance networks. ## Why Work Here - **Mission-driven work**: Direct impact on national security and defense technology – opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI, robotics, and autonomous systems. - **Culture**: Emphasizes in-person collaboration due to security requirements, industrial equipment, and classified programs. Offices include Costa Mesa (HQ), Boston, Atlanta, Seattle, Washington D.C., London, and Sydney. - **Growth trajectory**: Company has grown from 90 employees to 7,000 in ~9 years; significant investment in new facilities and acquisitions indicates continued expansion. - **Engineering focus**: Heavy investment in software, AI, hardware, and manufacturing engineering – roles span from software engineers to aerospace engineers to production specialists. - **Notable perks/benefits**: Not detailed in public sources, but the company offers competitive compensation in a high-stakes, high-impact environment. The Ohio Arsenal-1 facility will employ many from Ohio State University’s applied science programs. ## Sources 1. [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anduril_Industries) – Wikipedia: Anduril Industries (key facts, revenue, employee count, product details, funding, acquisitions) 2. [tracxn.com](https://tracxn.com/d/companies/anduril/__qqOI0HKR47lFXorj9FAQlDfmJOqfOpDNWiW3JcO--ss) – Tracxn: Anduril company profile, funding stage, founders 3. [robotics.press](https://robotics.press/news/anduril-deep-dive/) – Robotics Press: Deep dive on valuation, revenue, total funding, employee estimate 4. [anduril.com/careers](https://www.anduril.com/careers) – Official careers page (search result summary) 5. [anduril.com/open-roles](https://www.anduril.com/open-roles) – Open roles listing ## Other roles at Anduril Industries - [Curriculum Developer](https://feeny.ai/job/curriculum-developer-anduril-industries-santa-ana-6htrphsn60v0) — Santa Ana, CA - [Program Manager, Maintenance](https://feeny.ai/job/program-manager-maintenance-anduril-industries-ashville-1yx960a04m6j) — Ashville, OH - [Growth Operations Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/growth-operations-associate-anduril-industries-costa-mesa-7gc7sar8jzw5) — Costa Mesa, CA - [Supplier Quality Engineer - Sentry](https://feeny.ai/job/supplier-quality-engineer-sentry-anduril-industries-irvine-tvr0x3ya168c) — Irvine, CA - [Senior Supplier Quality Engineer - Sentry](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-supplier-quality-engineer-sentry-anduril-industries-irvine-5befszzye81w) — Irvine, CA - [Senior Flight Test Engineer, Omen](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-flight-test-engineer-omen-anduril-industries-costa-mesa-fm2827kf0cba) — Costa Mesa, CA - [Flight Test Engineer, Omen](https://feeny.ai/job/flight-test-engineer-omen-anduril-industries-costa-mesa-hyw4vy9wrt79) — Costa Mesa, CA - [Senior Flight Test Engineer - Advanced Effects (Roadrunner)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-flight-test-engineer-advanced-effects-roadrunner-anduril-industries-y08jtpec5qct) — Costa Mesa, CA - [Mailroom Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/mailroom-specialist-anduril-industries-costa-mesa-prawmqn0hskd) — Costa Mesa, CA - [Senior Manager, Counter Intrusion](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manager-counter-intrusion-anduril-industries-irvine-v6nk24cjap5g) — Irvine, CA