Chief Engineer, Flight Instrumentation
Anduril
Victorville, CA, USA
USD 166k-220k / year + Equity
Posted on Oct 30, 2025
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.
Role Overview
The Chief Engineer, Flight Instrumentation at Anduril will lead a team of instrumentation engineers focused on developing and implementing a robust instrumentation, telemetry, and data management system for the flight testing of Group 5 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). This role will require close collaboration with specialist teams, including Guidance, Navigation, and Control, Flight Sciences, Mission Systems, and Aircraft Maintenance, to address complex challenges in the defense sector.
As the Chief Engineer, Flight Instrumentation, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of defense and intelligence through innovation in autonomous systems. Your leadership will drive the integration of cutting-edge technology, ensuring our UAS platforms meet the highest standards of performance and reliability.
What You’ll Do
- Lead Requirements Decomposition: Utilize a wide array of digital tools to define and install flight test instrumentation, effectively communicating analytical insights to stakeholders.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with UAS discipline engineers, customers, airworthiness experts, and program managers to inform safety decisions and enhance the speed-to-ramp for test operations.
- Technical Leadership: Spearhead investigations to diagnose instrumentation and RF telemetry issues, guiding data interpretation and formulating solutions to improve system reliability and efficiency.
- Product Development: Design and implement analytics-driven customer-facing products that showcase system performance metrics and enhance user understanding of Group 5 UAS platforms.
- Instrumentation Fabrication: Oversee the design, fabrication, and installation of flight test instrumentation sensors and data paths into experimental aircraft, collaborating with integrated product teams to support program objectives.
- Calibration and Approvals: Perform test instrument calibrations and pre-flight checks, serving as an approving signatory for GO/NO-GO flight test decisions.
- Telemetry System Management: Operate and maintain a telemetry auto-tracking ground system using COTS software and hardware.
- Field Operations: Travel to establish FTI and RF telemetry solutions in various locations on an as needed basis.
Core Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field; or a strong foundation in Radar Systems or Data Science with quantitative and mechanical measurement expertise.
- 10+ years of notable experience with design of embedded data acquisition systems in manned or unmanned aircraft.
- Exceptional data visualization skills, proficient in analytical tools (e.g., MATLAB, LabVIEW, Simulink) to present complex data in accessible formats.
- Demonstrated expertise in high channel count mechanical measurement systems and architecting RF telemetry for near real-time display.
- Proven track record of implementing and troubleshooting grounding, bonding, and shielding solutions for instrumentation signals in RF environments.
- Experience with composite and exotic material installations in various flight test environments.
- Strong commitment to applying data science to solve real-world problems, translating technical findings into actionable recommendations.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
- Willingness to work extended hours as required.
- Ability to travel for test planning and execution.
- Ability to obtain a U.S. Top Secret-Level security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master of Science or a Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of experience in flight test instrumentation for Group 5 UAS and high-gain, aeronautical telemetry auto-tracking ground systems.
- 15+ years of experience setting up and administering high channel-count RF telemetry systems with the Interactive Analysis and Display System (IADS).
- Knowledge of best practices for implementing RF ground planes and architecting telemetry systems for maximum range on composite aircraft.
- Leadership experience, with the ability to mentor less experienced engineers and lead project teams in complex data acquisition initiatives.
- Experience with 'Data-at-rest' multi-domain, encrypted storage devices on aircraft.
US Salary Range
$166,000—$220,000 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:
Healthcare Benefits
- US Roles: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you.
- UK & AUS Roles: We cover full cost of medical insurance premiums for you and your dependents.
- IE Roles: We offer an annual contribution toward your private health insurance for you and your dependents.
Additional Benefits
- Income Protection: Anduril covers life and disability insurance for all employees.
- Generous time off: Highly competitive PTO plans with a holiday hiatus in December. Caregiver & Wellness Leave is available to care for family members, bond with a new baby, or address your own medical needs.
- Family Planning & Parenting Support: Coverage for fertility treatments (e.g., IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carriers, along with resources to support you and your partner from planning to parenting.
- Mental Health Resources: Access free mental health resources 24/7, including therapy and life coaching. Additional work-life services, such as legal and financial support, are also available.
- Professional Development: Annual reimbursement for professional development
- Commuter Benefits: Company-funded commuter benefits based on your region.
- Relocation Assistance: Available depending on role eligibility.
Retirement Savings Plan
- US Roles: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after-tax (mega backdoor Roth) options.
- UK & IE Roles: Pension plan with employer match.
- AUS Roles: Superannuation plan.
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.
To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.